Goldi, Red & Gingerbread

Paula played the Little Old Lady, a Puppeteer and a Cook in our original production of The Gingerbread Man back in 2017. Thank you to Paula for joining us on this project.

What’s your favourite children’s story and why?

My favourite story growing up was that of “The Unwanted Giant”. It was about a mean, smelly, grouchy giant who moved into a cave next to a little town. The townsfolk were very put out by the giant, but by the end of the story the townsfolk really care for him which I always thought was nice. Also, it doesn’t quite end how you’d expect it to, which I really like in a story.

If you could be any fairytale character who would you be?

I think I’d be a wicked witch, because it would be fun to have magic and be able to turn houses into cakes and biscuits!

What’s your favourite musical instrument?

Ooo, that’s tough because I really like all instruments, my favourite type of instrument is a stringed one, whether that’s a piano, a mandolin or a shamisen (which is a traditional Japanese instrument).

Where did you grow up and what encouraged you to do the job you do now?

I grew up in London, and the honest answer is that I didn’t know what jobs someone like me could do. I’m a non white person who grew up in a white family and white community. People said I could sing well and it was just assumed that I’d become a performer, again I think that’s because the people I grew up with didn’t really know what else non white people did for work, the only visible examples they had were the (very) few performers that they had been exposed to, so that’s what was expected of me. I do enjoy it a lot, and hopefully the fact that I can’t imagine doing anything else is a sign that it’s the right path for me.

John played the cheeky Gingerbread Man in our original production of The Gingerbread Man in 2017. Thank you to John for joining us on this project!

What’s your favourite children’s story and why?
My favourite story when I was younger was Robin Hood. I love that it’s exciting and adventurous, that there are many different versions, and that his good deeds were things that could happen in the real world.

If you could be any fairytale character, who would you be?
If I could be any Fairytale character I‘d be a talking wolf. Wolves get a rough deal in fairytales, they’re amazing animals and I’d like a chance to set the record straight.

What’s your favourite musical instrument?
I love a good Cello, but my favourite musical instrument has to be the guitar. It’s simply the best.

Where did you grow up, and what encouraged you to do the job you do now?
I grew up in York, which is a nice place but my school was pretty bad at developing interest in the arts. I was very lucky to attend a Youth Theatre where I was allowed to be comfortable and confident and express myself. Whatever I’d have wanted to do after that, I felt it was possible.

Karen played Mummy Bear in our production of Goldilocks and The Three Bears. You may have seen her in the original run at Derby Theatre at Christmas time in 2018, or at Jackson’s Lane in 2019. Thanks Karen for joining us for this project!

What’s your favourite children’s story and why?

Although I have a soft spot for Goldilocks and the three bears, I have a strong love for another story about a particular bear… Winnie the Pooh! I love the tales of friendship, adventures and of course lots of silly little songs!

If you could be any fairytale character who would you be?

Tinkerbell! So I could fly around Neverland, cause some mischief and fight pirates!

What’s your favourite musical instrument?

I love stringed instruments and although I can’t play it I would have to say the cello, with the fiddle ( violin) coming in a close second!

Where did you grow up and what encouraged you to do the job you do now?

I grew up in a small village outside of Aberdeen in Scotland. I was encouraged to become an actor and musician because of my love of storytelling, playing music and according to my mum, I ” Always did love dressing up!”. It’s great getting to share this with other people who enjoy stories as much as I do.

Katie played the mischievous Goldilocks in our original production of Goldilocks and The Three Bears at Derby Theatre in 2018. Thank you Katie for being part of this project.

What’s your favourite children’s story and why?

I have lots of favourites but one of them is ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ by Dr. Seuss because it is very very very silly and the pictures make me laugh.

If you could be any fairytale character who would you be?

I would be Sinbad the Sailor! He goes on adventures around the seas of Africa and Asia fighting monsters and lots of magical things happen. There are lots of stories about Sinbad and they are thousands of years old!

What’s your favourite musical instrument?

Oooh…this is a tricky question because I love playing lots of instruments but I think, at the moment, my favourite instrument is the accordion because it is a very loud instrument that I can sing along to. My favourite song to play on it is called ‘Over the Hills and Far Away’ by John Tams and you can see and hear me playing it here

Where did you grow up and what encouraged you to do the job you do now?

I grew up in a little town on the Welsh border called Knighton. Half the town is in England and half is in Wales and I am from the Welsh half. Bore da pawb! (That’s Welsh for hello everyone). It was a lovely place to grow up because there is a lot of green countryside and fluffy sheep. I have always wanted to perform in theatre shows for as long as I can remember. I used to watch my dad perform in shows at the school where he was a teacher. I was particularly inspired by his performances in musicals ‘Oliver’ and ‘Scrooge’. My first performance was when I was 4 years old and I played a jack-in-a-box. I loved jumping up out of my box and making the audience laugh.

We met Raffie (Natasha) when working on Derby Theatre’s production of Treasure Island. We were so excited to bring her onto this project and work with her again. Big thank you to her for being part of this new project.

What’s your favourite children’s story and why?

Pocahontas is my fave film and story. The reason is that it’s about two people coming together from two complete different countries and also the fact that she’s black and he’s white, no matter the colour of their skin, they fell in love. Kind of reminded me of my parents who had to put up with racism in the past for just wanting to be together.

If you could be any fairytale character who would you be?

Princess Tiana -the fact that she’s strong headed even though she fell in love and became a princess-  she still pursued her dream/career – wayyy before she met the prince. I like that.

What’s your favourite musical instrument?

Mm…I don’t have a favourite but it is between  drums / bass and piano

Where did you grow up and what encouraged you to do the job you do now?

I grew up in Manchester. It was my mother’s strong minded influence (just because you’re Deaf doesn’t mean you can’t do whatever you want do) and my dad’s taste in music – he would always put on music videos of Michael Jackson. He would dance with me in the living room in front of the TV copying movements or have a dance battle!

This inspired me to dance as I felt as I got older it took me away from reality so I can just be me as I always faced barriers as a Deaf person. It was a safe space. My BSL skill has opened up a lot of opportunities that I never thought would happen. I’m blessed.

Tilly-Mae played our curious and brave Little Red, in our 2019 production of Little Red Riding Hood. Thank you Tilly-Mae for being part of this project.

What’s your favourite children’s story and why?

My favourite children’s story is Matilda by Roald Dahl. I love reading books and so does she. She also knew that the most important trait in a person is kindness.

If you could be any fairytale character who would you be?

Little Red Riding Hood…of course.

What’s your favourite musical instrument?

The Cello! I wish I could play it. It has such a beautiful rich sound.

Where did you grow up and what encouraged you to do the job you do now?

I grew up in Guildford. My local youth theatre (Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre) gave me lots of opportunities to perform outside of school. I was really inspired by my friends and the people leading it and decided to make it my job! I also met some of my best friends there. The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre is on a road named ‘Millbrook’ and that’s why I decided to have it as my stage surname!