MATT PICKS UP THE SLACK

BRUM'S 'MR PANTO' TALKS TO DIANE PARKES ABOUT WRITING AND STARRING IN THE HIPPODROME'S ANNUAL SPECTACULAR EVERY YEAR

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MATT’S all a-quiver Matt Slack has become synonymous with Birmingham Hippodrome's pantomime and, back for the 12th year, he says he can’t imagine being anywhere else.

“It's the buzz of the audience, the love that I get. I would be such an idiot to want to go anywhere else. There is a lot of expectation, but when I step out on stage in Birmingham it doesn’t feel like work - it feels like I'm going to join family members at a very special time of year.”

It's Matt's 23rd pantomime nationwide and for the first time he’s donning the green jerkin of Robin Hood alongside a stellar cast including Gok Wan, Faye Tozer, Matt Cardle, Andrew Ryan, Sandra Marvin and special guest star Christopher Biggins.

The production originated at the London Palladium last year but as co-writer on the Birmingham show, Matt ensures its dialogue is firmly grounded in the city.

Matt goes on to explain: “It’s very different from London - the sets are there, the costumes and some of the musical arrangements but Birmingham gets its own unique show.”

Matt is already planning the next year’s panto even while he is on stage with the current production.

“I started thinking about Robin Hood while I was doing Peter Pan last year. I’m always thinking about what's working and could be good for next year.