Glaswegian Dean Park has played panto dames for twenty-seven years. He is currently appearing in Cinderella at the Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow. He also presents shows on Radio Clyde. Arts Hub caught up with Dean on a day off – a rare luxury in the pantomime season.
Where did it all start – are you from a theatrical background?
No – not at all. My Granny would say “Where did you come from?” and “He’s not one of us” – as I was singing to the bus driver, that sort of thing. I got involved in a band at school, and then won a scholarship to study opera at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
What made you leave the opera world?
I wanted to be a star! And as soon as possible… So I went back to popular music, playing with bands and touring, doing summer seasons at Butlins and playing clubs and so on.
What was your first experience as a panto dame?
Well my first pantomimes were at the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr – I was principal boy! In 1984 Catherine Robbins, the artistic director at the Eden Court in Inverness, saw me in summer season and said I’d be great as a pantomime dame. I didn’t believe her – I didn’t know what she meant. But I gave it a try; it was Aladdin with Tom O’Connor as Wishy Washee and I was Widow Twankey.
And you stuck with it…
I enjoyed getting laughs – I couldn’t believe it. I go in and do what I do and it still amazes me, the response from children and adults. The excitement, the adrenaline. I’ve been in panto in many towns and cities – this is my second year at the Pavilion in Glasgow. I love it because it’s a big variety theatre, a people’s theatre –and that’s what I do, I entertain the masses. At the same time, it’s a big responsibility because for some of the children, it’s the first time they’ve been to the theatre. It’s their first experience and you’ve got to get it right.
What’s the worst thing about it?
I can’t think of anything really bad – but it is still hard work. You learn to look after your health. I’ve lost weight and kept fit over the summer and I find I have more energy. And you have to rest between shows.
So what is a routine day as a pantomime dame?
Well, sometimes it’s a very long day as we have some morning shows, but usually I’m in the theatre from around 12.30 until eleven at night. It only takes me around forty minutes to get dressed and made-up – after all these years, I do know what I’m doing!
What makes a good pantomime dame?
You have to have no inhibitions and enjoy being laughed at. For two and half hours you have to be a big kid, and be vulnerable. You have to learn how to walk and how to wear the costume, but you must realise, this isn’t a drag act – it’s a man in a dress! I always make sure the audience is kept aware of that – that’s the comedy.
Who has been your role model or inspiration?
Tom O’Connor – I did two seasons with him. A great performer, and a generous one, so I learnt a lot. There have been some great Scottish character actors – Jack Milroy and Rikki Fulton, as Francie and Josie. Stanley Baxter and Johnny Beattie. All with different styles, and all great at the job. And of course, Les Dawson is a perfect example of a great Dame.
Has the job changed over the years?
Panto is still panto, but people coming in now have had to get on without the apprenticeship I had – there just aren’t the summer seasons and the variety shows any more. Pantomime has changed with the times – people expect special effects, lasers and so on as they see on TV or at pop shows. It’s existing in a changing culture, but Panto will survive, absolutely.
Dean Park plays the dame in Cinderella until 26 January 2008 at the Pavillion in Glasgow.
