Robin Simpson has been performing in shows at York Theatre Royal for 20 years. This December he returns to reprise his role as dame in their annual panto for the fourth successive year. We sat down with Robin to discuss Aladdin and why panto still matters so much.
Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us Robin. Could you tell us a bit about how you became the dame at York Theatre Royal?
I started out playing the dame over in Huddersfield several years ago, but I was always very aware of the pantomime in York, and the great reputation it has. I’ve been doing [other] shows at Theatre Royal, going back about 20 years, but then the pandemic hit and there were no pantomimes — except in York.
So, in a way although the pandemic was awful, it kind of kickstarted the new pantomime, and I was asked to be the dame that year, and it went down a storm. And so, they asked me to come back, and now I’m on my fifth dame in York. Which is such a huge privilege. The stage is wonderful, the audience is the best, and I’m working with just best creatives around.
Since you’re giving up so much of your time (and energy) over the Christmas break, there must be something about the panto, what makes it so special?
I think there’s something very unique about it that is peculiarly British. It’s the audience interaction which is lovely that you don’t get in any other form of theatre. In panto, the audience, they’re not just observers, they’re part of the family. In that way, panto is the most live that live theatre can be.
I like the humour; I mean who doesn’t like doing funny things and having fun?
Even if they don’t admit it, as the dame, you also get to play everyone’s favourite character. What’s that like?
It’s a chance to just be severely silly.
The dame’s got that role where she’s allowed to be ridiculous, she’s allowed to upstage the other characters and break a lot of the conventions of theatre. Some of the other characters have got to tell the story whereas the dame doesn’t care about any of that, she just wants to create chaos — but not enough that you get told off by the director!
Do you have a favourite joke that you’ve ever told in a panto?
The first major show I did at York was Cinderella in 2021 and we did a lovely sort of meta joke. I was one of the ugly sisters and we decide to burn Cinderella’s invite to the ball, so I went to throw it in the fire.
But we were doing the scene with a painted backdrop, so I go to throw it in, but it’s just a painting of a fire, so it won’t go in. So, I turned to the other sister and said, ‘this isn’t real’, and she says, ‘that doesn’t matter’ and throws it in.
And I’m having a real moment of metaphysical horror, it’s a bit like The Truman Show, as I realise that everything I’ve ever known is a lie. Everything is painted, my boobs aren’t real, and I’m wearing a wig — and who are all these people?
Moving forward to this Christmas, why should our readers be excited about Aladdin?
Because it’s made with a lot of love. It’s funny, it’s warm and inviting and it’s just gonna be the best evening out that they’re gonna get. It’s fantastic.
One of my favourite parts of last year’s panto was getting to see Zeus the dog on stage, but if you could perform alongside any animal, what would it be?
I love Zeus! Well, I’d just immediately just choose Zeus because he was amazing.
To answer your question, it would have to be safe, and the animal would have to enjoy it, so maybe, a duck!
I like ducks, ducks are pretty cool.
Aladdin is at York Theatre Royal from the 3rd of December, head to www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk to buy your tickets.
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