COMEDIAN Joe Pasquale heads the cast of this year’s Cardiff New Theatre pantomime Sleeping Beauty. Joe shares some of his thoughts on the world of panto, his dog and I’m a Celebrity...

Q: What do you think is special about pantomime?

A: I think the most important thing is that it’s usually the first time children get to see a live show.

With technology they see videos and computer screens and so on but in panto they see real people.

I think if a kid loves the panto you’ve got a theatregoer for life.

Q: Can you remember your first visit to a theatre?

A: My Nan took me to seeWendy Craig in Peter Pan when I was six and I’ve been hooked on the theatre ever since.

Q: You’re playing Muddles in Sleeping Beauty. What sort of a character is he?

A: It’s a comedy part a bit likeWishy Washy in Aladdin and Buttons in Cinderella and so on.

He’s the funny character who gets the sympathy and the laughs.

Q: Where did you develop your flair for comedy?

A: I think it’s something you’re born with.

If there wasn’t something special about making people laugh you couldn’t do it.

The first person that’s got to be entertained is me because if I’mmiserable nobody else will want to laugh.

Q: Do people expect you to be funny all the time?

A: Quite often they do but it’s a job like stacking shelves.

When I’mat home I do what everybody does, sit and watch telly, have a row with my wife, take the dog for a walk...

Q: What kind of dog do you have?

A: An Alsatian called Gypsy.

She’s got her own little caravan out the back. Sells pegs on the weekend.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: I’mstudying for a degree in geoscience.

I’ve always been fascinated by it.

I was always looking for fossils when I was a kid and I’d always be on the beach finding rocks and stones.

When I’min panto I usually just have something to eat and a doze between shows but when I’mdoing stand-up on tour I have a lot of time on my hands.

Rather than go to the pictures or walking round shops I thought I might as well make good use of my time.

Q: You’ve also run a marathon. Do you have a fitness regime?

A: I don’t have any special programme.

I eat healthily, don’t smoke or drink and run whenever I can.

Q: You were King of the Jungle in I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here – what made you agree to take part?

A: At the end of the day it was just another job. I had bills to pay so it wasn’t a big decision. It wasn’t a journey or anything like that. I
loved it. Really enjoyed living in the jungle for three weeks because it was something I’d never done before.

It wasn’t a journey or anything like that. I loved it. Really enjoyed living in the jungle for three weeks because it was something I’d never done before.

  • Sleeping Beauty runs at The NewTheatre, Cardiff from Saturday December 8 2012 to Sunday January 20 2013. Tickets can be booked on 029 2087 8889 or via newtheatrecardiff.co.uk