Ain’t nothing like a dame

When you’re sharing the panto spotlight with Cbeebies mega star Justin Fletcher, you run the risk of being overshadowed by Mr Tumble and his army of overexcited ankle biters. But au contraire, mon ami, multi-award-winning dame Paul Morse is now in his 4th year opposite Justin at The Hexagon Theatre in Reading and the only person casting a shadow is Paul – he’s a whopping 7ft in heels.

Paul will take to the stage this year as Widow Twankey in Aladdin and he’s a leggy panto force to be reckoned with. He plays the ‘man in a dress’ role with, dare I say it sass and glamour – wearing just decent mini skirts, sporting a fine pair of pins, vertiginous heels and the comic timing of the greats.

Ain’t that the truth! I spend most of my time in trainers. (*Coughs* Muddy Stilettos reputation in tatters)

 

Favourite panto?

I love Aladdin. This is the third time I have played Window Twankey. But Jack and the Beanstalk is is fun to perform too. Pantos are history plays and go way back to teach morals. The villain wants the handsome lead to marry the ugly man woman. They’re all good fun really.

 

Did you alway want to be a dame?

I trained classically for 15 years  and did a lot of Shakespeare and farce. Then I did a stint playing Alan, the Richard Beckinsale role, in the stage production of Rising Damp.

In 2005 I won Panto Idol – a live show on ITV Meridian that was like The X Factor for panto; and went on to win Best Dame two years’ on the trot in 2015 and 2016. I love the end of the pier seaside humour, breaking the fourth wall and speaking directly to the audience.

Many pantos are now casting drag acts to be dames these days, but I’m very much a man in a dress in the mould of the late greats John Inman, Arthur Askey, Les Dawson, Ken Dodd, Frankie Howard.

 

Weirdest job?

Well, when I’m not acting. I’m a funeral director! I wanted the security of owning my own home, but the unpredictability of acting work won’t get you a mortgage. I needed a job that would pay the bills but had flexibility to continue acting. Funeral directing is it. And yes I have been recognised by the families during a funeral.

 

Worst job?

I was back up driver for oil tankers. We’d stop at trucker cafes at 3am and I would be ordering a tuna salad sarnie while the others were grabbing burgers. They were so mortified, they used to make me wait in the lorry.

 

When were you happiest?

Panto is a lovely release. I miss that live audience. There’s a crackle of energy. When it’s going well, it’s liker riding on a wave. So when the run is over, you experience a massive come down. The post-show blues its a real thing

 

What’s you most outlandish dressing room demand?

OK, so I do like to have a particular sofa at Reading. So I always ask if ‘my sofa’ to be put in my dressing room. Doing two shows a day with all the costume changes is exhausting, so I like to have an afternoon nap. I’m 6ft 2ins tall, 7ft in heels and this sofa is perfect for that.
No Mariah Carey-style demands then for 100 perfect white roses then… 

I’m very lucky to be sent lots of lovely flowers from well wishers, many of whom I don’t even know. To be honest, my dressing room often looks like a chapel of rest, so I feel right at home.

 

Pre-show rituals? 

I always have a photograph of Princess Margaret on my dressing room door. She is the sassiest, naughtiest royal ever. I summon her spirit and curtsey to the picture before each performance. I also like to be dressed and ready way before curtain up, hear the orchestra warming up and have a good wee. I have so many layers on, that bit’s essential.

 

Let’s talk wardrobe…

In March I meet with the designers and go through the costume options. We’ll discuss what changes need to be made to make it right for the show. There are two types of Dame: frumpy and glam. I am a glam boy in a dress. Give me feathers, bling, colour and the chance to show off my legs before it all starts sagging and dragging.

 

Hardest things about panto season?

Its just very tiring – 13 costumes. 26 changes a day. Swapping full wigs, outfits and jewellery. I have one dresser with me the whole time, two when there’s a quick change. The quickest I have done is 23 seconds. I have on occasions gone on stage with my dress undone and  had to keep my back to hidden from the audience.

You also always worry you’ll get ill. I’m very conscious that everyone’s paid for a ticket. In some cases, this is there one big night out for the whole year. So you don’t want to let anyone down. I drink lots of water, honey and lemon and get lots of sleep. My party days are well and truly.

 

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

White wine, Sauvignon. I never drink before a show but there’s always a large glass sunk afterwards.

 

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

The Queen, Edna Everidge, Henry VIII, George V, Queen Mary. As you can tell, I am a royalist and I love history. I performed Oh What A Lovely War which is set in World War One, and I am, to this day, fascinated by that era.

 

What has been your biggest disappointment?

Not getting something you audition for. I was up for a Channel 5 soap, years ago – Family Affairs, and didn’t get. God, I would have loved to landed a TV job.

The role you were born to play?

Precilla Queen of the Desert. I went four times to heckle them. I could understudy for them all.

Cue manic laughter

 

When did you last laugh, and why?

I laugh every day at something. I get hooked into YouTube videos of dogs and cats ands that can tickle for me quite a while.

 

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?

More money. That’s why I’m a washer woman. It’s tough out there.

 

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Helping people – and I get to do it through acting and funerals. Panto is a great release for people to escape for 2.5 hours. I get a lot of letters from people this is there big thing for them. Funerals give me the opportunity to help families during their hardest time.

 

Perfect panto partner?

Julain Clary. Although the two of us sharing a stage would be pretty scary.

 

Book your tickets now for Aladdin, Hexagon Reading, Sat 8 Dec – Sun 6 Jan 2019