Talegate Theatre’s James Worthington (AKA Minga Hard-up) on why being a ‘baddie’ can be the best fun

Once more, we’re here at Christmastime to provide a seasonal pantomime! I am James Worthington – artistic director, company manager and tea boy of TaleGate Theatre Productions.

This year I am producing, touring and performing in (and some would say staring in) Cinderella.

Join an all-new cast on a whirlwind adventure of romance, royal parties and fairy magic. Will Buttons find the love of his life? Will Cinderella make it to the ball and meet her Prince Charming? Or will her evil step-sisters put a stop to it all!

Now in our sixth year of touring the UK, Cinderella will prove to be the best production yet — packed with songs, slapstick, silliness, audience participation and all the fairytale magic of traditional pantomime.

I trained at Bretton Hall College, University of Leeds reading Theatre and Performance graduating in 2008 with a 2.1. My passion has always been in children’s theatre, in particular the art of pantomime.

There is never a more honest audience than one full of children. This stems from a panto company that came in to my primary school and I was hooked instantly.

My first professional pantomime was with the legendary Duggie Chapman playing Priscilla the Goose. There is an element of the pantomimic in all my performances.

I love pantomime, what isn’t there to love about it? Girls dressed as boys, men dressed as ugly sisters, pop music both classic and current and as much manic mockery as I can squeeze into a couple of hours. Every year I play the dame role in our touring pantomimes. Normally these are the mother roles, warm friendly and complete comic relief from the dramatic plot. This year, however, I am joined by Clive Alexander to play to gruesome twosome – The Hard-Up Sisters. I am Minga Hard-Up, the most gorgeous woman in the world. Aren’t I, boys and girls? Aren’t I?! It is so much fun to be the villain for once. Winding up the audience into a frenzy during the haunted forest scene and the slapstick scene, where this year we must decorate a tired and dilapidated Hard-Up Hall. To be a villain you must also be loved. Loved to be hated.

People are under the impression it takes a very long time to get ready for the stage. But it doesn’t! A bit of greasepaint slap, on with the costume and you’re ready to go. It couldn’t be simpler other than walking into Boots and smashing your face against the Mac counter! With beautiful sisters comes fabulous frocks, 16 in total this year. So expect spots, feathers and huge sparkly numbers.

Danny Mills and myself have loving made each costume to get bigger and more fantastical as she show goes on. Cinderella is the classic tale and I’m excited to be presenting it at the Beacon. I hope you enjoy the show and boo and hiss for us ugly sisters as hard as you can!

Cinderella, The Beacon, Wantage, Tuesday (December 23), 2pm and 7pm. Tickets £8.50, call 01235 763456.