Besides Father Christmas, nobody has brought more festive joy to Harrogate this century than Tim Stedman.

This week’s opening of Aladdin marked the start of Tim’s 22nd pantomime season at Harrogate Theatre.

The success of the production is down to the quality of acting and scripts that combine slapstick, double-entendres and audience participation — but it just wouldn’t be the same without Tim.

A youthful 52, he says he is happy to keep playing the fool as long “as long as i can still throw my body on the floor”.

Born in Chester, to a mother from Leeds, he appeared in panto in Hornchurch before getting his chance in Harrogate.

He lives in Newbury and for 10 months of the year is, in his own words, a “jobbing actor” until he heads north in November.

Tim as Wishee Washee. Pic: Karl Andre 

Showbiz isn’t all it’s cracked up to be though. He rents a room in a family house in Harrogate and, with two performances most days, gets little spare time. He says:

“The pantomime is probably the hardest job in acting. We are acting, singing and dancing — and we are not all graced with great amounts of talent in all three — and we are working against a wall of noise. Besides that we are trying to get through a plot and a script and a story.”

But he loves the Harrogate panto as much as the town loves him. What’s the secret to the show’s success?

“I wouldn’t come back unless it was special. The pantomime here has style. First and foremost there is always a good story. If the story didn’t work we wouldn’t be able to keep the kids interested.

“The theatre also employs real actors. I’ve been to so many pantomimes where there might be a celebrity and it isn’t the same.”

Some of the ingredients — an audience singalong, a skit that involves running around the venue and Tim’s gentle humiliation of a man in the front row — are standard ingredients. How does he find his victims?

“If they look normal, that’s why I pick them.”

Favourite character to play

His first Harrogate pantomime was Sleeping Beauty. His favourite character to play is Buttons; this year he is Wishee Washee in Aladdin, which runs until January 15.

Away from the theatre, he likes to visit Fountains Abbey near Ripon and takes his in-laws to Bettys in Harrogate when they visit.

He looks different out of costume and generally moves around town unnoticed but sometimes gets recognised, usually by children.

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One of his favourite pantos was when his wife worked backstage and they both stayed in Harrogate. They now have three children and she stays home.

A shadow hung over last year’s show when Phil Lowe, who had directed and co-written the panto since 2007, died suddenly at the age of 44.  A fundraising page has been set up in his memory.

Tim outside the theatre’s Circle Bar.

There are no pantos on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day so Tim will drive home to Newbury on Christmas Eve before heading back to Harrogate on Christmas Day night, and do similar at New Year.

It’s a gruelling schedule at the time of year when most people relax. A keen football fan and Liverpool supporter, he went on stage last night just as England were kicking off in the World Cup. Thankfully, he doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon.

“I do get a little bit typecast. You go to drama school and want to do all these big roles but I guess I’m known for being the silly man, the fool. But that’s OK.”

Tickets for Aladdin are available here.

In the run-up to her appearance at Harrogate’s Royal Hall next weekend, Miriam Margolyes spoke to the Stray Ferret about her love of the town — and recalled some hilarious tales spanning 80 years.

Miriam is coming to Harrogate on October 17 to promote her memoir This Much is True. She will take to the stage at the Royal Hall for a conversation with BBC journalist Anna Wallace.

After over a year away from the stage, the actor is thrilled at the prospect of being in front of an audience again.

Our interview, which was held over Zoom whilst Miriam takes a break at her Italian home, was full of Miriam’s wonderful and wacky tales from growing up in Oxford to playing parts in huge productions like Harry Potter.

Talking about her book, which she wrote over five months in lockdown, she said:

“It is me talking, it’s all about me so if you don’t like me I would say don’t buy it!

“I’ve had a very interesting life because I’ve been to so many places and met so many different people so I think it makes for a good read.”

The BAFTA-award winning actress said the book had been a long time coming but lockdown gave her the chance to get stuck into writing.

It includes some of her favourite stories and also delves into the experiences that shaped her.

Dropping into her father’s strong Glaswegian accent, Miriam spoke of growing up in Oxford and going to “posh” school and her early career.

She recounts taking a phone call on the day of her mother’s funeral and finding out she was getting taken on by one of the top voice agents.

Not a huge Harry Potter fan

Since then Miriam has performed voiceovers in James and the Giant Peach, Babe and Cadbury’s adverts.

One of her most recognisable roles is Professor Sprout in Harry Potter. But she isn’t actually a huge Harry Potter fan. She said:

“It was a great part because it opened so many doors but I’m not really a particular fan of Harry Potter. I think they’re very good stories but it’s not the type of thing I read.”

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As well as acting on stage and screen, people know Miriam from numerous programmes tracking her travels across the globe, and her book recalls some of the more memorable moments.

‘Harrogate people know they have a jewel’

Speaking about what people can expect from the book, she added:

“I don’t think I need egging up: me as I am and the things that have happened to me are exciting enough.

“There are lots of funny things in it but there are also the serious parts of my life, it’s a fairly rounded portrait of a rather rounded woman!”

Harrogate will be the first stop of her tour. She said she was excited at the prospect of visiting the town once again:

“I love it and it’s a very attractive place. It’s very conscious of itself and it knows what it is and it likes what it is. They’re very confident, Harrogate people, they know they have a jewel.

“I know if people come to the Harrogate talk they will be entertained and have a good time.”

For information on the performance at the Royal Hall, click here.

Tony Kirkland has been acting for over 30 years and now wants to set up a community-based group in Harrogate to put on shows.

Mr Kirkland has featured in the BAFTA-winning film Fish Tank and Rocks which is currently on Netflix.

After acting and teaching English in London for much of his adult-life he has now moved to Bilton with his young family.

He says he’s not ready to give up on his passions in theatre and hopes other like-minded people will get involved. His aim is to  put on “low-budget but high quality performances” in the district.

Mr Kirkland says he doesn’t know many local people yet after only moving in January this year. He’s now putting a call-out for drama enthusiasts and theatre lovers to get in touch.

He has already set up Interact Harrogate and is now looking for his cast and backstage crew:

“It’s quite a task because I don’t know anyone but I’m hoping to get a group together. I’m looking for actors, they don’t have to have huge experience just share my passion and energy.”

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He hopes to put on around three to four shows a year with the first before the end of this year.

Mr Kirkland says he has a few ideas for his first show including Trafford Tanzi by Clare Luckham or Bouncers by John Godber.

As well as people Mr Kirkland is also on the hunt for a performance space and welcomes ideas.

Anyone interested in getting involved can message @interactharrogate on instagram or email kirklandanthony@hotmail.com.