The festive period is here and there are so many shows that are available for audiences to go and watch! Over the next few weeks, we will be talking to lots of different shows and performers about what they have in store for this time of year! Today we find out all about the version of Dick Whittington that is being performed for eight weeks from the 3rd December which you can find out more about here . Today I speak to Percy Rat Alex Crandon to find out all about it.

Hello tell us a little bit about yourself! 

Hi there my name is Alex Crandon, and I am an Actor (depending on the day) based in  London. 

What is the show that you are bringing to the stage in this Festive season? 

The brilliant team at the Corn Exchange are cooking up their wonderful annual panto and  this year we are doing Dick Whittington.  

Tell us all about the character that you play? 

I am playing the dastardly villainous Lord Mayor of London Town, Percy Rat, so I am getting  to relish in a lot of over-acting choices and release my inner Disney villain which is a lot of  fun. 

Will there be a bit of festivity in your show? 

Of course! It’s Christmas time in Newbury and the whole show is full of festive cheer and we  have got some incredible songs, we pretty much go through the entire greatest hits from the  80’s playlist, with a couple of familiar theatre tunes thrown in for good measure! 

What are your favourite things about the festive season and why? 

I just love it all, I am a big Christmas fan. I love the food, the music, the games, the TV  specials, and there’s always a lot of warmth and if the family can all get together, that’s  always a treat.  

This time of year the venues tend to be a bit busier as well – do you find that the  audience changes at all? 

Christmas time is always a great period for families to come and see theatre, especially for  young kids who may never have experienced live theatre before. For them to experience  that magic for the first time is always incredibly special and fulfilling. 

What advice would you give for people performing around the festive season?

Wrap up warm, plenty of hot water and honey, and take care of your voice!  

What is the best thing about a night at your show for the audience?

It is incredibly thrilling to hear a room roar with laughter. Comedy, and more specifically  Panto, calls for such a special actor and audience relationship, they are like another  character in our show, so no night will ever be the same. 

If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social  media? 

I am on instagram: @alex_crandon, unfortunately I post all of about three times a year so I  am a bit slow on the uptake for content but I am trying to get better – I promise! 

And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show?

Festive, funny and full-out!