Profiles

2008 saw Tim playing Buttons in 'Cinderella'. Being a regular in Harrogate's annual panto is something he clearly relishes, "It's such a classy, wonderful, traditional pantomime. One that you can take both your three-year-old and your grandmother to."

Tim Stedman without his costume.

Not all actors enjoy pantomime as much as Tim does. Many performers aren't too fond of the long runs, struggle with the comic aspects of the show or look down a bit on pantomime; not considering it as 'real' theatre. Tim hasn't much time for that point of view, "Some people can be a bit snooty about it, they seem to think it's theatre that just goes for the lowest common denominator. They don't give us credit for all the work that goes into making it a great experience for the audience.

"What they don't realise is that for a lot of people the panto is their only experience of theatre. Our responsibility is to give them a terrific time and hopefully attract them to see other things and support their local theatre."

Many traditional pantomimes are no longer produced, with many theatres suffering cuts in their grants, it's perhaps easier to opt for a big-name celebrity who will guarantee 'bums on seats'. Harrogate doesn't do that, "We always tell the story. This year it's Cinderella and that's what the audience get - Buttons, the Ugly Sisters', boys dressed as girls and girls dressed as boys.

Family fun at Harrogate Theatre

"We still do the traditional sing-a-long, with song sheets, to get the audience involved. We throw in a modern pop song but one that everyone knows. We also don't rely on smutty humour."

Tim trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Since finishing his training he's toured the country in a number of productions and appeared in a variety of television shows and films. Before arriving in Harrogate he auditioned for the Globe in London, "I haven't heard anything yet and you never know who else has auditioned. Fingers crossed though, and with luck that's where I'll be after finishing Cinderella."

Tim enjoys the variety of touring but returning to Harrogate gives him a small glimpse of celebrity, "I'm just a jobbing actor and very happy with that but it is lovely coming back to Harrogate. People do recognise you and come up and say hello. It's just wonderful when they tell you how much they enjoyed the show."

It's not just the people that bring Tim back each year, "It is a great show to do but people are so proud here of their local theatre and the building is wonderful. It's had a great deal of refurbishment and restoration work and it's beautiful. Who wouldn't want the chance to work here?"