A Q&A with one of our Panto stars, Matthew Curnier

Your character’s name in Jack and the Beanstalk is Billy – is he a Silly Billy?
Yes he most certainly is! I am really looking forward to getting a hold of the script to see what this Billy is like… Whilst I am sure that he will be ever the dim-wit, he might just surprise us all with a lightening bolt of clarity just when the time is right.

What other roles have you played in pantomime?
I have been doing panto comic for 10 years now and love it every time. I have always played the panto comic, because I just love being able to play the fool, especially around Christmas when you get to just be a Silly Billy! When I’m a little older and a little wiser I hope that I will be able to move onto playing Dame… in the meantime, I am watching and learning, and only time will tell…

Where and when did you see your first pantomime and what was your reaction?
I remember going to the theatre from time to time as a child. I think we went to see Gilbert & Sullivan shows (because I had an aunt who loved them and often performed in them) and the local village panto. It just always looked like the actors were having a lot of fun. And so I knew pretty early on that I wanted in.

You were born in Paris, moved to this country at a young age and grew up bilingually – do you do much work in France/French?
I’ve been very fortunate to have been able to work in both countries… whilst most of my work is here in the UK, the last project I did in France was the recording of a beautiful audiobook; an epic novel written in Alexandrine verse – a little bit like Shakespeare’s iambic pentameter but instead of ten beats in a phrase, there are twelve which suits Latin-rooted languages a little better. It was so wonderful. It is helpful being able to speak French and sound French. It also seems to get me seen for some nice projects here in the UK. For example, I often do voice work in French and play French characters. This year I had a role as a French sommelier in Industry series 3 for the BBC. Mais oui, mais oui…

Before becoming an actor you studied marine zoology and marine mammalogy which took you all over the world. Why the switch to acting?
It’s true, my very first career was in Marine Zoology and Mammology. I became a Marine Biologist and was able to conduct research, primarily in whales and dolphins in fabulous places like Canada, Scotland, Kenya. The results of the research were often for conservation purposes. I absolutely loved doing this work and saw some breathtaking nature. After a few years, my other burning passion – which was theatre and acting – started calling very strongly. From the age of 12 I knew that I wanted to be an actor but it never seemed ‘possible’ or ‘realistic’. I think I found out a little later than other people that it is, actually, a job and so once I found out that I could go to drama school and get an agent, I thought I would chance my luck.

What prompted you to become a qualified secondary science teacher?
Well, a very wise person (hiya Mum!) once told me that I could do whatever job I pleased in life, but it did have to permit me to stand on my own two feet financially speaking. I was living in Kenya at the time, working on a marine biology conservation project, when I had an epiphany: I just knew that I had to come home and try to be an actor. But as everyone knows, there are no guarantees in finding work as an actor. So, repeating my mum’s words in my mind, I decided to become a secondary science specialist teacher (and use my marine biology background) so that in between acting work, I could earn enough money with supply teaching and/or private tuition. I planned to do 2 years as a teacher; the first would be my teacher training year, the second would be my probationary year before I became fully qualified. Teaching in secondary schools was utterly fantastic; every day was a rollercoaster and I eventually ended up leaving the classroom after 5 years.

You’ve performed in theatres up and down the country – any favourites roles or places?
Oh gosh! I don’t know if I could choose. This might sound implausible but during the panto launch day in early September for Jack And The Beanstalk, I remember walking out onto the York Theatre Royal stage and I actually gasped. The theatre is simply stunning. It will be such a treat to call this home for panto ‘23!

Any unusual interests or activities (apart from marine zoology and teaching!) away from acting?
Yes… I love doing algebra. (This is obviously untrue – I’m actually rubbish at maths!). This is a great question to ask… and I have been wanting to do this for a long time and haven’t yet found the time or courage to do this… and so writing it here will commit me… it will force me to do it… one day I am going to get my paragliders licence. Because why not. There, I’ve said it outloud now!

Any York or Yorkshire connections?
Well not really… Although, having said that, my English grandparents were Yorkshire folk. My Grandad grew up in Huddersfield and my Gran was a Sheffield lass – so maybe there are a few drops of Yorkshire blood in me after all. It’ll be a pleasure to become acquainted with it this year.

Interview by Steve Pratt.

Jack and the Beanstalk, York Theatre Royal | 08 Dec 2023 – 07 Jan 2024