Meet the cast of Robin Hood and Maid Marian: Grace Kelly Miller

In the lead-up to this year's #NewburyPanto adventure, Robin Hood and Maid Marian, we chatted with Grace Kelly Miller, playing Willamina Scarlett, in an exclusive interview...

Welcome back! Are you looking forward to returning to Newburyshire for this year’s  #NewburyPanto?

Most definitely! I fell in love with The Corn Exchange last year and I am so excited to call it home once again this Christmas (crossing my fingers that the cafe will be selling the Christmas tree brownies again!).

How did you feel when you found out you’d be part of Robin Hood and Maid Marian? 

Delighted! Detective Fairy Bowbells was a gift of a part last year, so I am thrilled to be coming back to be even sillier in the role of Willamina Scarlett this year. 

Panto season is such a big tradition - what does performing in a pantomime mean to you? 

It's joy! A chance to be in a room full of people from many different walks of life and laugh together.

How familiar are you with the Robin Hood legend? Do you have a favourite version or memory of the story? 

This is going to age me, but I absolutely loved the kids tv show Maid Marian and Her Merry Men.

What do you hope audiences will take away from Robin Hood and Maid Marian this Christmas? 

That over taxing the poor sucks!

What are you most looking forward to about being in Newbury over the festive period? 

The Festival of Light looks amazing! I am hoping we'll get a glimpse of it this year! 

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

The Muppet Christmas Carol is my absolute favourite Christmas film - but I'm not sure if I'd want to live in it... At least not till the end when Scrooge decides to stop hoarding all his wealth!

What’s the top on your wish list this year? 

Is it too cheesy to say peace on earth and goodwill to all?

What’s your favourite karaoke song? 

The elephant love medley from Moulin Rouge for sure!

Do you have any Christmas traditions?

The Muppet Christmas Carol must be watched at least once over the Christmas period. Christmas day I am flexible - but the Dr. Who Christmas special is a must!

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

For me it's all about not having to rush! I like to get in early so there's time for a cuppa and a natter before the big cast warm-up. The warm-up is essential (especially on those days when I don't want to do it!) then, getting into makeup is an almost meditative experience for me... I know that might sound daft, but concentrating on my face really helps me get into show-mode!

As the host of Dungeons & Dragons podcast No Small Rolls, how does this help you on stage? 

D&D is really improvisation with dice - you never know if the dice rolls will work in your favour - but either way it makes for good storytelling. It's the same with live theatre and especially panto! Panto is such a playful artform - which means you have to be ready to roll with the silliness your fellow cast members bring to the stage!

Robin Hood and Maid Marian runs from Friday 28 November 2025 to Saturday 3 January 2026. Find out more and book your tickets here.