Richmond panto is wicked temptation for Asher (From Elmbridge Guardian)

Richmond panto is wicked temptation for Asher

9:00am Friday 27th November 2009

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Jane Asher may be a veteran of the stage and screen, having starred in countless plays, films and TV shows, yet when it comes to pantomime her CV looks a little bare.

When she takes to the stage as the Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Richmond Theatre later this month, it will only be the second panto she has ever appeared in.

“I haven’t done one for a long, long time,” says Asher. “The last one I was in was when I was 17. It was Cinderella in Bromley in 1963 – it’s the only other traditional panto I have ever done.

“I did Peter Pan twice, playing Wendy when I was 15 and Peter later on, but I wouldn’t really class that as a panto.”

When Asher, who has recently finished a successful run in Bedroom Farce at Kingston’s Rose Theatre, was offered the chance to make her second panto appearance she says the timing was perfect.

“When my children were young, I didn’t want to be working flat out over Christmas and now they are all grown up it is something I can do,” she says.

“I have also been doing a lot of what you would call ‘serious theatre’, even if there has been a lot of comedies. When I was asked if I wanted to do this, it fitted in beautifully with the other work I had slotted in.”

Is she looking forward to playing a baddie and getting booed whenever she steps foot on stage?

“It is always more fun playing a baddie and I will have to find my motivation,” she says. “Sapphire [Elia, playing Snow White] is obviously horribly pretty so that will help me get jealous and really nasty.

“The other day, I did a radio play and had to play a wicked mother with a horrible laugh. It was good practice and I’m afraid I found it terribly easy. I also have four step-grandchildren, whom I knew would be so thrilled at the thought of their step-granny being the Wicked Queen, so I just couldn’t resist.”

For all the high-jinks associated with pantomime, Asher believes it is vital the script is taken seriously in order to provide a high-quality theatrical experience for youngsters.

“It is very often a time when children see theatre for the first time so it is important to treat them with respect,” she adds.

“I can’t bear to go to a panto when the cast are mucking about and giggling among themselves.

“I hate that because kids are so trusting. You only have to see the way they watch a show really drinking it all in and believing it all.

“It must be really important it is done properly, albeit full of daft jokes. You have to have that with modern allusions and double entendres but it is really important not to mess around and to take it seriously.”

So be prepared for a seriously wicked Queen making her presence felt at Richmond Theatre from next Friday.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Richmond Theatre, December 4 to January 10, visit ambasaddortickets.com

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