Get your glass slippers on, and panto energy up! We got to chat with the FABULOUS Kenny Moore about all things panto! From the cruise ship performances to X-Factor, Kenny has done it all, and he is ready to get back into a panto Dame to play a true meanie.
Thank you for coming in! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Oh, thank you. Well, I’m Kenny. I’m playing a wicked sister in Cinderella, obviously. My background is in dance. I was a dancer, a little tiny little dancer, and in fact, my first show was a panto. I was a babe, and I played Dopey, and it was a bit of a sad story, because they were costumed with these giant pairs of ears, and the costume designer said ‘oh, I don’t think that child needs them because his ears are big enough’! I mean, like, literally. Welcome to showbiz. So, anyway, I did that on Cromer Pier. And that was my first Panto, and then onwards going into singing and dancing. I did cruise ships, theatre shows and obviously joined The Squirrels.
And you’re local from Norwich.
I am from Norwich, born and bred!
So, what’s the drag scene like here, in Norwich.
I became a drag queen with the Killer Queens, which was a very long time ago, and then I moved to the Canary Islands, and was there for seven years doing shows at various venues. And then I returned home here, and carried on doing drag, which was wonderful, and I obviously joined the squirrels.
The drag scene here is so healthy, it is just amazing, there are so many talented drag kings and queens and princesses all coming through and are all so creative.
It’s just something about Norwich that is just a creative place, isn’t it?
It is, and it’s a joyous place and safe space to be. I really, really love that fact about it. We’ve got our beautiful UEA! We’ve got our fabulous art college, and we’ve got so much going on here creatively, it’s just a fabulous place to live. I love it.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received about performing on stage?
It is probably the most important advice I’ve been given: never give up. Always dream. The dream can be achieved! I’ve come full circle in my career to return to the theater Royale. One of my first shows, I was about five or six years old, on that stage for a school show, and now to be older and come full circle and be in panto. Just keep dreaming!
Tell us something we don’t know about you.
I am actually a really good tap dancer. I might do a ball change during the show or something! Who knows.
Besides performing, because obviously, you know, you’re a great performer. What’s one hidden talent that you have that we don’t know
Well, please, don’t make me do this, but I used to play the violin. I played a long time ago, and to be fair, I was pretty shocking. That’s why I don’t do it anymore.
And you’re in our panto, Cinderella, this year. Are you looking forward to it?
I can’t wait! The cast are absolutely wonderful, and everybody here at the theatre is just one big family, and it’s just such a nice environment to be creative and to enjoy the whole experience.
And you’re playing sisters with Owen Evans this year.
He’s just lovely. I was his mentor last year. We met backstage where I was doing his makeup, going through the process of getting into Dame, getting into the character, and it was wonderful because, when you do someone’s makeup, you see the transformation, and you see the character come alive. And Owen and I get on really well!
Are you going to be properly bad, playing the wicked sisters this year?
We’re really bad. I mean, we’re meanies. We are THE meanies, but that’s part of it.
We love Christmas at Norwich, but what’s your favorite part of Christmas?
My favourite part of Christmas is spending it with family and friends. I have always been very family-oriented. Mum, dad, brothers, and sisters, cousins, you know, we love it. And we love getting together, doing party games, and just sharing each other’s company and having fun.
If you could play any panto character, who would it be and why?
Well, I have played quite a few characters, and one of my favourite was the fairy godmother. I loved playing Fairy Godmother. She was so lovely, and she was so kind. And the flying aspect, and the sparkle of it all. But to be a meanie this year and a villain is good. I quite like it!
If you could have any magical item from a fairy tale. What would it be and why?
A magic wand would be quite handy, because you could do your own magic. I also think it would be lovely to have a lamp because you could use it for everything. But the wand is at the top for me.
Good choice!
I have some fun ‘this or that’ questions next!
Glass slippers or comfy trainers?
Glass slippers.
Grand ball entrance, or a quiet getaway?
Grand ball entrance,
Pumpkin, or getaway car?
Getaway car.
Prince Charming’s Royal Decree, or button’s best joke?
Buttons’ best joke.
Midnight deadline, or no curfew at all?
No curfew at all, party on.
‘Oh no he isn’t’ or ‘he’s behind you’?
He’s behind you.
Happily ever after or another Grand Adventure?
I think another Grand Adventure
And finally, why should people come and see Cinderella this year?
I think this year we have got such an amazing cast. They are super talented, all of them. And on stage, we are going to create so much magic this Christmas. And that is the wonderful thing about the story of Cinderella, that you get lost in the whole story for those few hours. Please come and join us, it will be so much fun.
Cinderella Pantomime is on at Norwich Theatre Royal from 6 Dec – 4 Jan.
For more information or to book, visit norwichtheatre.org or call the Box Office on 01603 630 000.
