Let’s count the kisses shall we? Twice in every a show, for 71 performances,” Max Olesker says tapping away on his calculator. “Yes that’s 142 snogs by the time the Playhouse panto comes to an end in January,” he surmises, looking extremely pleased with himself.

As Prince Charming we should expect nothing less of Cinderella’s suitor, ready to pucker up for the heroine day after day.

But there is more to this Prince Charming than his kissing abilities. For a start Max was a professional wrestler for five years, a sweaty, if unusual profession then? “Yes very sweaty, especially when wearing pleather all the time. But then if you don’t want to get sweaty don’t become a wrestler,” he shrugs. “I got into wrestling through the usual channels,” the 29 year-old says blithely, as if it’s the most normal career in the world. A boyhood obsession with superheroes, his idol Errol Flynn and all things buccaneering, seems to have been the initial attraction. But Max also had an acting bug that refused to go away and eventually he was forced to choose between his two loves, and acting won.

“I just couldn’t give either of them the time they needed,” he said mournfully. “But I still pop back now and again for a good wrestle, to keep my hand in,” he tells me, “because it’s great fun.”

Instead Max became a comedian, with comedy side-kick Ivan, and ‘Max & Ivan’ tour the country and indeed the world, making people laugh wherever they go, from Melbourne to Edinburgh.

Oxford is presumably next then for some of Max’s comedy gold?? “Well it seemed like a tremendously fun idea even if I have never done panto before,” he agrees. “It’s been the best year and this has given it an extra twist at the end. But if Ivan is reading this, tell him I miss him dreadfully,” he grins.

“I have a few Queen and Prince numbers to get through first though, so we shall see, but I’m going to give it my best and it’s going to be a great show.”

Cast as Prince Charming after meeting Soho Theatre’s Steve Marmion, the idea took Max by surprise, although he’s fully committed, and joining in the rehearsals with gusto. “It would never have crossed my mind to play Prince Charming. But Steve obviously saw something in me that brought me here.

“At the moment it’s going well, although singing and dancing 17 hours a day is quite hard work,” he manages a wry grin, “but I’m firing on all cylinders and manage some acrobatic dance moves, so we will have to see if the garters take the strain. Plus I’ve chucked a few wrestling moves in there for good measure, so it’s been a joy and everyone else in the cast is fantastic.”

Despite being a panto virgin on stage, off Steve is a pro, having been taken to see Chipping Norton’s offerings every year by family friends who lived nearby, a panto fan then from the day dot.

So how is Prince Charming? “Sensational, seminal and epoch defining,” he smiles.

“Actually he is quite dim, more like a character from Made In Chelsea, but when combined with Dandini the cat they turn out to be bulletproof. So yes, he certainly grows on you.”

And the downsides? “The outfits – the multiplicity,” Max says throwing his hands up in mock horror.

“I didn’t realise I would be getting changed so often, so when I’m not on stage I’m frantically squeezing myself into some new britches.”

So does Cinderella appreciate his endeavours? “Cinderella is a woman unencumbered by society’s cut and thrust and the world that Prince Charming is used to. So with the help of a few Beyonce numbers and her “Shake It Off” tune, she helps him escape from that and opens his eyes. She is a very empowered young lady, and he needs that in his life. He finds it refreshing, so she is very good for him.”

So there will be a happy ending after all? “Oh yes,” he says with a twinkle in his eye. “I will dote on her and love her and they will live happily ever after, or at least until January 8, that much we can guarantee.”

Cinderella

Oxford Playhouse

Until January 8

01865 305305

oxfordplayhouse.com