Paul Vates aka Widow Twankey (right) with fellow cast members of Aladdin at The Elgiva
Chesham’s Christmas star
Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a panto. This year, The Elgiva celebrates the much-loved tradition with a super-spectacular Aladdin. With its fairy-tale world of special effects, lavish sets, wonderful costumes, oodles of slapstick and fabulous songs, this magical story sets festive spirits soaring.
The stellar cast of professional actors includes Chesham-based Paul Vates as larger than life Widow Twankey. An outrageously Ugly Sister in last year’s Cinderella, Paul is back on the boards by popular demand.
Born in Leeds and trained at East 15 Acting School, Paul’s career has spanned theatre, television, voiceovers, comedy and more. His stage work has included everything from Shakespeare and Ibsen to a huge UK national tour as Postman Pat. He was the superhero Mathsman for two award-winning BBC TV series of Megamaths. As a voiceover artist he has recorded over 100 books for Calibre and Listening Books, specialising in comic and children’s literature.
Comedy and clowning have taken him around the world, seeing him appear in crazy tv commercials, running workshops and performing at international festivals and events. Paul is also a founding member of The E-Team. Whilst performing with them, he was awarded the European Festival of Street Entertainers’ Award.
Skinwork (it’s just dressing up in costume!) has even allowed him to spend a season leading the England Football Teams out onto the pitch. As a playwright Paul won the prestigious People’s Play Award at the People’s Theatre in Newcastle. Currently, he is also Chairman of Chesham-based Chiltern Film Society.
Paul is over-the-moon to be back at The Elgiva as Widow Twankey and is incredibly grateful to New Pantomime Productions for the exciting opportunity.
Aladdin runs at The Elgiva from 7th December until 5th January. Buy tickets for Aladdin.
You’ll also spot him here at home in The Great Chesham Pancake Race, to be run at 11am on 1st March. In this revival of the old tradition, teams entered of all ages take to the High Street to test their skills, impressing spectators with a winning mix of good humour and grim determination.
