Meet the cast of Corn Exchange Newbury's Dick Whittington: Jade Johnson

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

Welcome back! How does it feel to be stepping into the shoes (or claws!) of Cosmo the Cat for this year’s #NewburyPanto?
I’m so excited to bring Cosmo to life this Christmas. She’s such a fun character and very different to what I have done in the panto before.

What are you most looking forward to about performing Dick Whittington at the Corn Exchange this festive season?
The music!!! Our musical director Ben Barrow has done some amazing work and these songs are going to sound incredible.

How do you get into character before stepping on stage each night? And do you have any favourite traditions or superstitions before a performance?
I usually find that donning my glitter or putting my costume on gets me in the zone, but I suppose this year it’ll be my whiskers instead of lashes! I don’t have any superstitions actually, but much like Cosmo, I love a cup of tea before a show!

If you went on an adventure like Dick Whittington what three items would you bring with you?
My phone because I need music playing 24/7. Some snacks (obvs) and my bestie, to keep me entertained!

If you could have a sidekick like Dick Whittington’s cat, what animal would you choose and why?
A little guinea pig probably, they are so cute. 

If you could live inside the world of any Christmas film, what would it be?
Ahhhh Serendipity! I love that film, anyway but the way it depicts New York at Christmas is something I would love to experience. I feel like the real thing would probably not live up to the expectations I have because of that film!

If your life was a musical, what musical would it be?
I’d say maybe Tick, Tick... Boom! That feeling that you have this amazing dream for your life and never really know when or how it’ll become real. But with how many times I fall over or spill things on myself my life is more like The Play That Goes Wrong!

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

As the producer of The Taylor Swift Cabaret, what era would you say Cosmo the Cat is in?
Oh, Cosmo is 100% in her Folklore era. She wants to be curled up next to a fire with a cup of tea and deeply in her feels. But if you mess with her, or her best pal Dick, you might tempt her into her Reputation era… so watch out!

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