Continuing with our series of interviews with the cast from the Tunbridge Wells pantomime Cinderella we now have an interview with Jamie Rickers who is a familiar face on CiTV and Nickelodeon, with hosting Toonattik and Jamie and Anna’s U-Pick Summerwho. Jamie is delighted to be playing Buttons when the panto opens on Friday 11th Dec.
Jamie Rickers
Buttons is a really important character to the storyline – you have to get the audience to respond to you. What do you think is key to getting the audience to interact?
JR : Buttons isn’t a story teller or an original character in the original story. He’s the lovable comedy figure that will help anyone. He’s Cinderella’s AND the audiences best friend. The key to Buttons is just to have fun WITH the audience. He must be able to laugh at himself and because he is picked on by the ugly sisters, be able to hope the audience feel sorry for him. He needs to be everyone’s brother or sister and make everyone feel relaxed when they see him. When I’m in the audience I always want to see more of Buttons and can’t wait for him to be back on. If I get it wrong, then the empathy, expectation and hope fails. Let’s hope I don’t get it wrong.
Tell me about panto – have you always loved it? Did you go and see any pantomimes when you were younger?
JR : I grew up watching PANTO at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend. I was ALWAYS the kid on stage during the song sheet and couldn’t wait to find a way to star in them. So when I finally got the chance, I was over the moon as Buttons was my first part.
What do you do to unwind after a performance?
JR : If we finish early enough then I do a bit of Judo – a real love of mine. Otherwise I will always make a point of calling my children for a catch up on their day. It can be difficult for all of us as I don’t get to see them too much during the busy Panto season. I also like, wherever possible, to socialise with the cast who usually become a bit of a substitute/seasonal family whilst we’re on the show together.
You are a familiar face on children’s TV. Why do you think you have enjoyed doing this job for so long and have you ever wished you had done something else?
JR : Being a kids TV presenter was what I wanted to do since I was 5 years old. I love the creative side of television so produced some of the shows I also presented.
I’ve also been lucky to work with incredibly talented production teams over the years. The trick is to remember that it’s only television. As soon as you think you’re more important than anything or anyone else then its game over. You are always only 1 part of a team and I can’t do what I need to do without everyone else’s help and professionalism. Some of the comedy you will see on stage this year is made funnier because I can play off the other actors. Some of the scenes, although they look off the cuff, and some are, are carefully choreographed and the timing worked on until perfect. A five second gag with actions can sometimes take hours to make perfect.
(syndicated interview)
Interview with Louise Jameson (Fairy Godmother)
Interview with Dani Harmer (Cinderella)
CINDERELLA
Friday 11 Dec ’15 – Sun 3 Jan ’16
Opening night: All tickets £17
Sat 2 Jan 5pm: All tickets £17 (Relaxed performance)
All other performances:
£24.50 Tiered Stalls & Circle
£21.50 Front Stalls
£2 off senior citizens
Children £15.50, £12.00 (back 2 rows of front stalls)
No concessions on Opening Night or Sat 2 Jan 5pm (relaxed performance)
Plus a £1.25 per ticket booking fee (£1.50 if booking through the Box Office) up to a maximum of 10 tickets
Box office 01892 530613 or book online on www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk