Our Press Officer Steve Pratt caught up with Paul Haykyard who will be playing the role of Ivan Tobebooed in our upcoming production of Aladdin.
What was the first pantomime you saw and what was your reaction?
I was very young and it was Aladdin at the civic theatre in Leeds. We were taken to see the pantomime by the school. A friend of mine was in the children’s chorus and I remember sitting there are being so jealous when he was on stage. That’s even before I decided I wanted to be an actor.
This is your third York Theatre Royal pantomime – what keeps you coming back?
It’s literally up the road from me (Paul lives in Selby) and although it’s my third pantomime I’ve done other stuff in York like Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre. The Theatre Royal is very homely. Throughout the year when I find myself in York I always come into the theatre, I’m always really welcomed by the staff.
You’ve been a nasty sister and a villainous sea captain in past York Theatre Royal pantomimes – who are you this year?
The villain Ivan Tobebooed. He wants to be the Supreme Leader of the Universe so he’s like a proper Batman villain. He kidnaps a Princess and … I won’t give away the story too much but yeah, he’s proper evil.
How evil is Ivan Tobebooed on a scale of 1 to 10?
He’s a 12?
Would you like to play the hero?
I’m too old to play the hero, way too old. I’ve played the comic, the Dame and now the baddy. I’ve never played the title role, the hero, the Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk – which is surprising as I was extremely good-looking when I was younger.
Favourite moment so far in York Theatre Royal pantomimes.
I loved playing Ugly Sister with Robin Simpson (Paul and Robin played Mandy and Manky in Cinderella). I loved every moment of it from turning up on a motorbike to messing about with the guy from the audience. There wasn’t a minute I didn’t enjoy. I knew Robin from working with him in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Worst moment so far in York Theatre Royal pantomimes.
I love when things go wrong but I hated it in All New Adventure of Peter Pan when Captain Hook gets eaten by the crocodile. I had to get down and crawl into the crocodile so he could drag me off. I was so physically tired by that point in the Panto because I’d just done a big rock number and sword fight.
What’s it like working with Robin Simpson?
A nightmare. I’m joking, I love working with him.
Any interests, hobbies or obsessions outside acting that you’d like to share with us?
I like to paint wildlife. I watch wildlife, I see wildlife, I photograph wildlife. I did a commission for Robin last year – I painted his mother’s dog. I also like photography. It’s my new passion. I get up early in the morning when it’s dark and sit by the side of the canal waiting for the wildlife. I’ve always painted and drawn.
Aladdin is at York Theatre Royal from 03 Dec – 05 Jan.
Find out more information and book your tickets here.
