Norfolk’s favourite Joe Tracini is back in Norwich Theatre’s panto Aladdin. We talk to him about playing Aladdin brother Reg, getting Christmas gifts for the pets and taking a trip to the North Norfolk coast to see the seals … or not.
You’re back! How excited are you for this year’s show?
I love coming to Norwich Theatre every Christmas; it is the best part of my year. I am very lucky to get to do a panto every year for the Norfolk audience, so I am so glad to be back in my Christmas home.
This is your fifth year doing panto at Norwich Theatre. What keeps you coming back?
Everybody at Norwich Theatre cares so much about the panto. I think it is a special treat to come to panto nowadays, and I think if people put that importance into coming to see us, we all should work as hard as we can to make it worth something.
And the Norfolk audiences are amazing, aren’t they?
Yeah! They are great. Because they want to listen cause most audiences don’t listen, they are thinking about other stuff. But here they are as much part of the show as I am. They boo, they cheer and sing along, and for so many other reasons, the audiences are fantastic, and it is the best place to come and do stuff like this.
We have a new dame this year. Are you looking forward to working with her?
I can’t wait. I haven’t spent much time with Owen [Evans] yet, but from what I have seen of him in costume and what I have heard, he is a very nice man. Anyone coming to do a panto with that amount of excitement and energy that Owen has got you know you are going to have a good time.
You are part of so many people’s Christmas traditions. Can you tell us about yours?
Panto! I know this sounds silly but honestly. What I love about panto is the fact that I get to be a part of so many people’s Christmases. For me Christmas is a time where I am not sure what to do with myself. What I do is I come and I do what I enjoy and I never forget that somebody’s Christmas is starting because they are watching what we do.
When you get a day off, what do you like to do here in Norfolk?
What do I like to do here in Norfolk? You know what I like to go to that beach with the seals. Yeah, I say I like to. I went once I had a great time, but I didn’t see any seals. But I do want to go every year.
Tell us something we don’t know about you.
Blimey! I spend my life telling people everything I can think of about me. I can’t wiggle my ears or twist my tongue, and I have never told anybody that I can’t do those things. That counts.
Aladdin is at Norwich Theatre Royal between 7 Dec – 5 Jan. You can make your panto experience extra special with Norwich Theatre Royal’s restaurant Prelude’s festive menu for both adults and children, throughout panto season kids eat free*.
For more information or to book, visit norwichtheatre.org or call the Box Office on 01603 630 000.
