HE may be known to
millions as killer Rob Donavan in ITV's Coronation Street but Marc
Baylis is hoping people won't be booing him when he makes his panto
debut this week.
The 37-year-old has
left Rob behind and will be taking on the role of the Prince in
Bromley's Churchill Theatre's production of Sleeping Beauty which
opens on Friday for a five-week run.
And despite the
understandable nerves about being a panto first timer he says he's
looking forward to the challenge.
"I've done theatre
before but this is my first panto and I'm really up for it," he
says cheerfully.
"I'm not worried
about being booed to begin with - and I'm sure some of the gags will
reference the Prince killing someone - but I hope I'll be able to win
the audience round so they'll be cheering me on!"
Although he's most well
known for his stint on Corrie, Marc has numerous other TV credits
including Misfits, Sirens, Law and Order, The Bill, Eastenders,
Doctors, My Uncle Silas, Battlefields, and Hollyoaks.
But his background is
theatre and he's starred in a variety of productions including Mark
Rylance's Jerusalem at the Apollo Theatre and The Belle's Stratagem
at the Southwark Playhouse.
Indeed it was a trip to
the theatre as a child to see a panto that inspired him to become an
actor.
"I went to the
Birmingham Hippodrome and loved it from the off," he says.
"There's so much energy and atmosphere - it was just fabulous
and that was it for me.
"It's one of the
reasons I became an actor really - and I love it because in every job
you can always be someone different.
“I've done a lot of
theatre although not for a while as I've been in Corrie so it will be
nice to be back on the boards though this will be a whole new
challenge," he laughs.
"We've got a great
cast and a fantastic script but what I'm most looking forward to is
the fact panto is so lighthearted which will be great after what has
been a serious storyline in Corrie!
"There are no
restrictions or boundaries with panto so it will be pretty awesome.
"It's spontaneous
and you never know who's going to play a prank on you - plus you get
so much more audience participation which I'm really looking forward
to - so bring it on!
He will be joined on
stage by a plethora of stars including Forest Hill actress and former
Pop Idol finalist Zoe Birkett who stars as Carabosse the Bad Fairy.
The 29-year-old who has
made a name for herself in the West End and most recently on Channel
5's Big Brother, says she's looking forward to the show, not least
because she can unleash her "darker side".
"I'm a real girly
girl and I normally play the princess so to be taking on the role of
the wicked queen is going to be a lovely change - though I'm not sure
how I'm going to feel about all the booing," she laughs.
"Although I'm a
bit nervous, I can't wait and am really excited especially as I get
to bring out my darker side.
"My costume is
great too - I'll be wafting black feathers all over the place and I'm
going to put fairy lights in the dressing room!" she chuckles.
Like Matt, Zoe got the
acting bug when she went to see a production of Peter Pan in
Newcastle when she was a child.
"Peter Pan was my
first panto and got me hooked," she says. "I used to go
every year with my dad and loved it. It inspired me to do lots of
musical theatre as a kid and that was it.
"Panto is very
different to other stage shows though. It brings the whole family
together and everyone has a great time.
"It is the whole
theatrical nature of it that is so brilliant. You have to take it a
bit seriously - although it's not like Shakespeare let's face it -
but it's a chance for the cast, crew, musicians and the audience to
relax and have some fun.
"It is scripted of
course but what I love is the whole audience participation which
makes it so enjoyable.
And Zoe promises there
will be "tonnes" of fun in this show.
"There are some
great songs of course, fab costumes and loads of opportunities for
the kids to interact with the characters at all our silly jokes. It's
going to be fantastic!"
Sleeping Beauty is on
at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley, until Sunday, January 4. Tickets
from £15 to £26.50. Visit www.atgtickets.com/Bromley or call the
box office on 0844 871 7620.
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