 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Connie's Warwick Davis Fanpage and Leprechaun Center | |||||
|
Other stuff: Email - Guestbook |
BBC: From Snow White to Star Wars |
|
 |
| Warwick Davis, shown right, is one of the best known short actors in pantoland |
Once upon a time he was Wicket the Ewok. He's played Wald, Weazel and Yoda. He has even taught magic to Harry Potter.
He might not be the tallest person on the stage, but Warwick Davis has one of the most impressive cvs in pantoland this Christmas.
Appearing in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in Guildford, the 31-year-old actor has credits on a chain of international hits."
He has appeared in Star Wars hits 'The Return of the Jedi' and 'The Phantom Menace' as well as a chain of other movies including 'Labyrinth','Willow' and 'Harry Potter'.
But every year the seasoned actor enjoys a return to the traditions of panto. Which is why he's back at Guildford in the Yvonne Arnaud production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
"I play the character of Prof. He likes to think he's the head guy, the head dwarf, but in fact all of the others really make the decisions," said Warwick.
"All the year I've been doing work in films and television where you don't get an immediate audience reaction. You get the director saying: 'Very good' or 'I didn't like that.' but that's the only reaction that you'll really guage from people."
In fact one of the best known short actors in showbiz has been on a panto stage every Christmas for the past thirteen years.
He can see sound professional reasons for doing so: "It is a very dynamic experience. It is often children's first experience of theatre and I think it's a very good one. I feel that it's one of the most challenging theatrical artforms that there is," he said.
"Doing theatre is a good discipline because you immediately get the feedback from the audience, good or bad. It's kind of a good wake up call for an actor saying you know, you need to really pull your socks up and make a bit of effort."
British pantomime has its roots in the 1600s. Warwick says tradition is vital and that pantos need to stick to the story.
"That's important because children know the story and they want to see that. I feel disappointed when I see a show and I can't see the story that I know and love within it," he said.
"We've got to remain true to the story and to the bits that are sad and the bits that are funny. In Snow White there is a bit where she has been put to sleep by the wicked queen and the dwarfs are grieving her.
"That has to be real. That has to be from the heart and if it isn't the audience isn't going to believe it and the whole thing falls flat."
Childrens TV presenters, disc jockeys and gaggles of other 'personalities' are now a frequent feature of pantomimes. Warwick Davis is less relaxed about that particular development.
"They have their place. I wouldn't want to be one to say 'No, they shouldn't be doing it,'" he said.
"But I think it's wrong to bring somebody - say a tv presenter - into a role that is very central to the story element as in Snow White or the Queen. Those roles have to be played very true and by actors and actresses," he added.
Warwick Davis is appearing in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at
the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, from 14 Dec to 6 Jan.
