Meet the cast of Corn Exchange Newbury's Dick Whittington: Scott Riney

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

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

I’ve heard such great things about Newbury and the Corn Exchange theatre. From what it looks like, it is such a lovely area and building. I’m really looking forward to exploring all Newbury has to offer with the scenery, the restaurants and the people.

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

Physically with a great deal of help with costume and makeup, and a physical/vocal warm up. Mentally by having a few minutes of quiet time, just me and my thoughts before psyching myself up around the other characters and backstage antics. I like to get a feel of the energy of the audience and everyone backstage and that usually fills me with the energy I need to bring to my character. 

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

That would depend on where I’m going. If like Dick I was on my way to London, then I’d take a credit card, my phone, and a good friend for company…and to reign in my spending a bit. 

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

This is tricky. I like a lot of animals and they all have their strengths, but I think I’d go with a classic Labrador. I love dogs and this breed in particular. They’re so loyal, cute and fun. A more adventurous choice would probably be a dolphin. I don’t know how that would work though. 

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

The Muppets Christmas Carol. I really want to meet Miss Piggy and Kermit one day. Imagine living in a world with actual muppets…behave!

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

Probably Friends The Musical. I’ve surrounded myself with a great, close-knit group of friends since my early 20’s and we’d do anything for each other. We have a lot of fun when we’re together, and if I could pick them up and take them with me wherever I go, I would. I even moved to Paris for work for crying out loud. Who would have thought I’d end up being the Rachel of the group!? I actually got on the plane though.

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

I’m a bad British person, I don’t really drink tea, or coffee for that matter. Every now and then I enjoy a lemon and ginger tea with honey, so I guess that would be my go-to. 

Welcome to the world of panto! What are you most looking forward to about performing in a pantomime for the first time?

The thing I’m most looking forward to is having fun onstage with the cast. The beauty of live theatre is that no two performances are ever the same and so much can change in a second. So it’s about bouncing off each other and keeping each other on our toes. The unscripted bits and blunders are usually very funny, and you never know when they’re going to creep up on you. 

The Dame is always a showstopper! What made you want to play the Dame role? 

The Dame is such a staple character in any Panto, she works for all ages. I think the sassy and sometimes crude humour that gets lost on the innocent minds of children, is picked up by the adults, and that keeps it funny and interesting for them. She always has the wildest, most colourful costumes and makeup which is what I think the children relate to more than what she is saying. So between the two aspects, she can have lots of fun with the whole audience. 

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