Meet the cast of Corn Exchange Newbury's Dick Whittington: Alex Crandon

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

What are you most looking forward to about performing Dick Whittington at the Corn Exchange this festive season?
Performing in such a beautiful town – and getting booed horrendously!

How do you get into character before stepping on stage each night? And do you have any favourite traditions or superstitions before a performance?
It varies from character to character, but music helps me quite a bit, anything Big Brass or Rat Pack gets my energy up and ready to head out onto the stage – I’ll go heavy on the ‘rat’ pack this year.

If you went on an adventure like Dick Whittington what three items would you bring with you?
I would probably take a kettle for a good cup of tea, a decent book and a photo album – fill it with old adventures and new ones!

If you could have a sidekick like Dick Whittington’s cat, what animal would you choose and why?
My dog – all day every day!

If you could live inside the world of any Christmas film, what would it be?
Probably, It’s a Wonderful Life. Gets me every time!

If your life was a musical, what musical would it be?
The Drowsy Chaperone - it’s about a man who listens to his favourite musical recordings, that sums it up pretty perfectly!

Cosmo the cat loves tea, do you have a favourite type of tea?
Yorkshire’s English breakfast - are biscuits included?

If King Rat could describe himself in three words, what would they be?
Deliciously, disgustingly bad! 

What’s one thing about playing a panto villain that you think the audience might not know?
The villains always have more fun!

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