Meet the cast of Corn Exchange Newbury's Dick Whittington: Kai Harris

In the lead-up to this year's #NewburyPanto adventure, Dick Whittington, we chatted with Kai Harris, playing Dick Whittington, in an exclusive interview...

What are you most looking forward to about performing Dick Whittington at the Corn Exchange this festive season?

I’m most looking forward to being creative and putting on a show again! I know I’ll have lots of fun collaborating with the team and the company and bringing Dick to life will be brilliant! The music and the script that has been put together is a joy to read through and I can’t wait to get it up on its feet!

How do you get into character before stepping on stage each night? And do you have any favourite traditions or superstitions before a performance?

Before the show, I make sure I’m warmed up both physically and vocally so I can perform to the best I can. To get into character I will run some lines and songs and go over notes etc; so I’m in the mindset of the character. 

If you went on an adventure like Dick Whittington what three items would you bring with you?

If I went on an adventure like this, I’d take a camera so I can take pictures of my journeys and everything I see on the way. I would also take a huge jar of Nutella and those Dr. Oetker pud in the mugs. You can only get them at Tesco and I live by them!

If you could have a sidekick like Dick Whittington’s cat, what animal would you choose and why?

Even though Dick has Cosmo the Cat, I’m a dog person myself. I’d probably take my dog Eddy to keep me company and make me laugh! He’s a cross breed between a Border Collie and a Spaniel.

If you could live inside the world of any Christmas film, what would it be?

I’d love to be inside the world of Elf, I’ve always wanted to go to New York at Christmas time and see the lights and the huge Rockefeller Christmas tree.

If your life was a musical, what musical would it be?

I think the closest would probably be Billy Elliot. Before I wanted to be a performer, I played rugby league for nearly 7 years and was always called Billy Elliot growing up – especially my Grandad who coached me at the time! I then ended up playing the role when I was younger and with my Grandad being a miner himself, the musical is quite close at heart.

Cosmo the Cat loves tea, do you have a favourite type of tea?

It has to be Tetley Extra Strong, no one likes a weak cuppa!

Dick is a character known to be full of ambition and determination. What are you most excited about for bringing him to life on stage?

Being full of energy myself, I can’t wait to bring that side of Dick to life on stage. He is so courageously clueless and always has a smile on his face even if it all goes wrong. 

Do you have any Christmas traditions? 

Christmas in our family is like routine! We have slow-cooked beef and pork sandwiches the night before and always go to bed with fresh bedding. We wake up on Christmas morning, open the presents and then make our way round to the grandparents. We have Christmas dinner at my grandma's, with a few beers, and have a lazy day on Boxing Day.

Dick Whittington runs from Friday 29 November to Sunday 5 January 2025. Find out more and book your tickets here.