Pantomime star looks forward to a Torquay Christmas with family

Actress Hannah Everest may well be away from home this Christmas, playing the lead of Belle in the pantomime Beauty and the Beast, but she has managed to ensure that she won’t spend the festive season on her own in Torquay.
“It’s my first Christmas away, so I’m easing myself into the future of working during the period,” she said.
“My grandma, mum, dad, brother and auntie and uncle are all coming down on Christmas Eve and staying over. I love Christmas in my home, so this is the next best thing as it wouldn’t be Christmas without my family around me.
“I’m from Leicester but live in London generally, but I’m looking forward to spending time in Torquay. My first impressions of the area is that it’s very summery no matter what time of year thanks to the palm trees and boats and is very holiday-esque.”
She is joining the likes of Sue Holderness, of Only Fools and Horses fame, in the pantomime which plays the Princess Theatre, Torquay, which opened on December 9 and runs until December 31.
“The audience can expect lots of laughs, a little bit of romance and a magical story,” said Hannah enthusiastically.
“I love seeing the kids enjoy seeing themselves in the audience, it’s great. To me pantomime is a tradition and brings a community together. We have a cost-of-living crisis, but people save their pennies to come to panto as it brings such joy and is pure escapism.
“It’s guaranteed that audiences will enjoy it, it’s so sensory with the lights, costumes and songs.
“I can’t wait to get the scripts and start learning the songs.”
From a young age she knew she was destined for a life treading the boards.
“I was your typical dance school kid, my mum took me along when I was three years old,” she said. “I found I really fell in love with musical theatre around nine years old and played baby June in Gypsy at The Curve Theatre in Leicester, which was my first professional theatre role. I had lots of professionals to look up to and big names.
“For me that was the turning point, and I was overwhelmed. I realised that performing was what I wanted to do and my schoolwork went out the window!”
She studied and completed her GCSE’s and went on to study Musical Theatre at the famous Bird College in Sidcup aged 16.
“I thought I was super grown up and ready for it and I handled it well but could have made the most of it more if I’d have gone when I was a little older,” said Hannah, honestly.
“Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but I guess I’ve been lucky to get experience along the way and am doing a job I love.”
This summer she was excited to perform at the Old Laundry Theatre, Windermere, in the production of Peter Rabbit.
“It was a puppetry show and it was great fun and a similar feel and audience to pantomime,” she said.
After completing her run in the children’s classic, she filled time with singing lessons and classes to hone her craft.
“I also work front of house at a theatre and do freelance work as I have bills to pay,” she said. “I am happy doing anything in theatre.”
Hannah, 21, has been performed in various pantos over the years and shows such as 9 to 5– The  Musical, Brigitta in The Sound of Music and the lead in Annie, amongst other shows.
However, one show really stands out for her. She returned to Gypsy at Buxton Opera House playing June.
“Gypsy has been my favourite role and the second time in it. I had the same director but different cast,” Hannah said reminiscing about the production.
In the musical, she appeared alongside multi-Laurence Olivier award winning actress Joanna Riding.
“To have the chance to work with her was something special,” said Hannah. “Every time working with her was like a workshop. I really looked up to her.”
In this year's pantomime, she is performing alongside Only Fools and Horses star Sue Holderness, who plays the part of Malevolent this festive season and can’t wait to spend time in the bay.
“I’m terribly excited, I love Torquay. I first played there in 2010 for Calendar Girls,” she said.

You can see Beauty and the Beast at the Princess Theatre, Torquay, from now until December 31.