ONE of the country’s favourite performers, actor, comedian, presenter and all-round national treasure Miriam Margolyes will make her pantomime debut this year as the voice of Giant Blunderbore in Jack and the Beanstalk at Poole’s Lighthouse arts centre.
In a career spanning more than 50 years, Miriam has become known for her work as a character actor across film, television and stage – including regular appearances in the BBC’s much-loved Call the Midwife. She achieved international prominence with her portrayal of Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter film series.
But she has never been in a pantomime – until now!
“I love panto,” she says. “Panto was my first experience of theatre; that’s how I became interested in it. I think it’s very important to take kids to see shows.”
Miriam’s performance in Jack and the Beanstalk is pre-recorded, but while she will not appear in person her characterisation of the friendly, cheese-eating Giant will be a terrific addition to the stellar cast headed by Lighthouse favourite Chris Jarvis as Dame Trott with Sarah-Louise Young as the baddie Fleshcreep.
She says: “I like the idea of having a giant who was rather put upon and not really an evil giant. I hope that, in the end, you’ll rather love the giant, because he’s not a bad giant. He’s just had a hard life, and he’s very greedy. And, you know, I’m rather greedy too!”
The theatre is also thrilled that Miriam has donated her fee to its annual Christmas Appeal, which will enable more children to attend the panto in Poole this year.
“We are so happy that one of our foremost stage and screen actors agreed to be part of our panto this year,” says Lighthouse Chief Executive Elspeth McBain. “It’s a giant of a role that will be made even more so by an actor of Miriam’s stature – we can’t wait to see how our audiences react.”
Made in Poole especially for Lighthouse audiences, Jack and the Beanstalk is the latest in a run of hit pantomime in recent years including last year’s national Panto Award nominated Dick Whittington and winners Aladdin and Cinderella. It’s written and directed by Chris Jarvis with choreographer Daniel Donaldson Todd, production designer James Smith and musical director Adam Tuffrey.