Craig Revel Horwood talks about starring in panto at Llandudno

Nov 26 2009 Chester Chronicle

Love him or hate him, you have to admire the sheer nerve and verve of the man.

Craig Revel Horwood grabs whatever it is by the throat and gives it maximum shake.

Right now, he gets heckled every Saturday night for his controversial judging on BBC’s hit show Strictly Come Dancing, though for my money, he’s the one who talks the most sense.

In the past he got into the heat of the kitchen as a Celebrity Masterchef contestant and, rigid with nerves, took his trembling hands right through to the final.

Next he gets into drag to become Snow White’s bad stepmother. In a role just asking for trouble, he steps out on stage as the Wicked Queen in his first panto at Llandudno’s Venue Cymru.

In it, he even dances a tango. Is he mad?

“Well, yes,” he said, “But, hey, let everyone come along and give me a hard time. They will be out there giving me marks out of 10. It’s all part of the fun and I’m going to love it.”

Revel Horwood had waltzed into a press party in full flouncy glamour gear, unrecognisable until that unmistakable voice emerged from the painted face. Then, darling, he hammed it up to the false eyelashed hilt.

Later he strode in for interviews in civvies (let’s ignore the faces embroidered on his jeans’ bottom), a tall, imposing figure with a voice that strides over everyone else’s. I made most of my notes when he was talking to others.

Full-on, he’s surprisingly likeable, because he is so enthusiastic, so ready to take a joke, and so honest. Like his thoughts on the panto.

“I’ve never done it before because I didn’t like the form,” he said, “But as I have done more directing I realised I didn’t understand it. Now it has taught me a lot about theatre I didn’t know. It’s a play for children and the story has to be told as truly as possible.

“I have done drag before but this is different because the audience is part of the show. That’s why I have come to love the genre. I just hope I’m good enough for the gorgeous costumes.

“I’m putting myself on the line but that’s what I like.”

Revel Horwood is a well-known face on television and has a CV that skates all around theatre taking in dance, directing, choreography, with West End credits including Cats, Miss Saigon, Spend Spend Spend and My One and Only.

Hard to believe, but he’s an Aussie, from the small town of Ballarat, and he says he was Billy Elliott before Billy Elliott was even a twinkle in writer Lee Hall’s eye.

He said: “I always loved to dance but as a boy it had to be in secret. Then I found an encouraging teacher. I went into hairdressing, but only to pay for classes. My first break was in West Side Story and I still love that show.”

He got to London and remembers blacking up for the Black and White Minstrel Show as critics picketed the theatre. He also danced often in the late Danny La Rue shows – including one at Venue Cymru exactly 20 years ago – and smiles as he realises here he is back in, you could say, the great man’s fabulous gowns.

A hoofer still at heart, Revel Horwood’s love of dance spurs his Strictly comments and he says: “I remember being shocked at first at the boos. I’m used to it now but don’t play it up. You have to be honest to yourself and the performers.”

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs can be seen at Venue Cymru in Llandudno from December 14-January 3. Ring the box office on 01492 872000 or visit the website www.venuecymru.co.uk.