Nothing is more Christmassy than a trip to the panto and we should have another excellent offering in Brighton, writes Nick Mosley. He catches up with Allison Ferns from BBC Sussex, Surrey and Kent, who plays the wicked Caribosse in Sleeping Beauty at the Doubletree by Hilton Brighton Metropole in December.

What is the chosen fairytale of year’s Brighton Family Panto and why was the theme picked?

It’s Sleeping Beauty this year and it’s a fabulous choice because it’s a timeless story that we all grew up with and it brings together all the classic elements that make panto so enjoyable – a princess, a dashing hero and of course a wicked villain!

What is the essence of pantomime?

For me, it’s all about the humour, magic and audience participation. For many it’s their first experience of live theatre, and it has it all; song, dance and comedy. It’s for all ages and thrives on being both silly and spectacular. It’s a great bit of escapism in which to lose yourself for a couple of hours.

You seem to gravitate towards ‘baddie’ roles… why is that?

Who doesn’t like to be bad? No, seriously, it’s the best role to play in my opinion because one minute the audience is booing you and the next they’re laughing – hopefully – at your comical insults. Oh and you get to wear black, which I love.

Which actors are returning to perform this year?

We are so lucky to have such a talented team at Brighton Family panto both behind the scenes and onstage. Ellie Earl, who played Cinderella so wonderfully last year is back again as Princess Aurora, as is our fabulous Fairy, Sharon Starr. Of course, someone who will be sorely missed is Miss Jason who sadly passed away earlier this year but the show will be sprinkled with tributes to him and co-writer David Hill will take on the role of Dame in homage to his late friend.

(Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

With panto traditionally having a lot of impromptu moments, during rehearsal do the cast have input on the script?

Oh most definitely, part of the fun of panto is adlibbing and some of the best innuendo often crops up in rehearsal, particularly lines suitable for the adult only performances of which there are two this year. As the villain, one of my favourite things is coming up with my own topical jokes depending on what’s happened in the news as well as sarcastic put-downs for the audience.

Do you find the musical numbers challenging?

I do find them challenging – singing and dancing at the same time isn’t as easy as it looks, trust me! But I love it. The great thing for me is never knowing what you’re going to be asked to do one year to the next. In previous years, I’ve had to do street dance, tap and even be lifted high in the air by young strapping male dancers which obviously I hated! I like to pretend I’m on Strictly.

(Image: Argus)

Does staging at Doubletree by Hilton Brighton Metropole rather than a theatre present any unique challenges?

The team do such a great job at transforming the space that it feels just like a theatre once you’re in there, and actually you get the added benefit of walking through the always beautifully festive hotel, not to mention enjoy the superb bar and restaurant facilities.

You also perform an Adult Only panto. How does that differ from the family panto and is it fun to be a little more outrageous?

Ha! It’s definitely different from the family version and a lot of fun to perform. The hardest thing though is not to corpse on stage and to remember to change the lines for the family version the next day!

How can people book tickets?

You can book tickets for shows from 19 - 30 December now via www.brightonfamilypanto.com and if you don’t, I’ll put YOU to sleep for 100 years.

How does the panto support charity?

This year we are proud to be supporting The Focus Foundation. They are an independent grant-giving charity funding a wide range of programmes across the UK. Their purpose is to connect communities and to make a positive and lasting change to people’s lives, and one of their primary objectives is to support socially or economically underprivileged children and young adults.

What do your kids think of your performances?! Are they proud of mum or a bit cringe?

Well obviously I have two teenagers, so everything I do or say is cringe but I simply embrace it and make them even more embarrassed by adopting Gen Z speak and telling them I’ve got Rizz and that I’m having a BRAT Winter! Let’s hope they never read this or I’m done for. Seriously though, I like to think they are secretly proud even though they won’t admit it and actually watching Mum in panto has now become one of their Christmas traditions.