It was panto dames and audience participation galore at today’s Hazlitt Theatre pantomime launch.

The Maidstone theatre celebrated this year’s panto, Sleeping Beauty, with a fun-filled launch event where we could meet the stars of the show and get into the Christmas spirit early.

The Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Derek Mortimer, gave a short speech welcoming us all to the Maidstone Museum, where the launch was held, and got the visiting pupils from Five Acre Wood School and West Borough Primary School excited about the upcoming panto.

The Hazlitt’s general manager, Martin Cleverley, then introduced the cast members, all in their fabulous costumes, to the room.

The cast members in attendance included Lucy Edge as Aurora, Jamie Corner as Prince Phillip, Joe Meloy as Maid Joan, Ria Turner as Carabosse and Hayley Johnston as Fairy Flora.

Each cast member answered questions from the pupils, who were eager to find out things such as if the characters had any superpowers and each of the cast’s favourite pantos.

We then got a chance to chat with the cast and find out just what it is that makes the panto season so special.

“We love being on stage and there’s nothing better than an audience reaction, but there’s just so much more magic and excitement in a panto,” says Lucy. “Whether it’s because everyone’s looking forward to Christmas or because if things go wrong, it doesn’t matter!”

“Christmas is my favourite time of year,” adds Hayley excitedly. “I get far too excited and hyper so by time Christmas comes you’ll need to peel me off the ceiling!”

And that’s not the only thing that is getting Hayley in the mood for Christmas, as she gestures towards her sparkly fairy dress.

“I’d wear this every day if I could, I’d probably sleep in it!” Hayley laughs. “I love the costumes - as long as they sparkle!”

Ria Turner, who is playing this year’s villain, Carabosse, is looking forward to the show just as much, despite the fact that she knows there will be plenty of booing and hissing in store for her.

“It’s the most fun role, especially when the children and schools are in, because you can have fun with them,” she says. “They shout things at you and it’s just hilarious. If you come and don’t boo I’ll be very angry!”

Arguably the most fun role, however, is that of panto dame Maid Joan, played by Joe Meloy.

“There’s nothing better than popping on a dress and a pair of fake boobs and prancing around on stage having fun with everyone,” says Joe, who has been performing in pantos for 10 years. “It’s even more fun than it looks. I just love that it’s part of history and, when you walk out on stage, there’s going to be kids who have never been in a theatre before and that, for me, is just magic.”

Despite looking forward to a busy panto season, times are still tough for the theatre as it emerges from Covid cancellations and struggles with the cost of living crisis.

“Things are improving, but it’s taking time for some of our customers’ confidence to reach a point where coming back into theatre part of their lives,” explains Martin. “The cost of living crisis has seen new trends in the way that customers buy tickets, and it’s also meant, for a lot of people, that theatre has once again sadly become a luxury.”

Sleeping Beauty is at the Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone, from Saturday, November 26 to Saturday, December 31. Book online here.