Interview: Wiltshire Creative Gareth Machin talks Panto

Salisbury Radio's Andy Munns sat down for a chat with Wiltshire Creative's Artistic Director, Gareth Machin, talk to Pantomime.

This year's panto at Salisbury Playhouse is Jack and the Beanstalk. Directed by Gareth Machin and featuring some familiar faces, including everyone's favourite gardener from Alderbury. 

Prince Tony becomes Fairy Fabulous, the Fairy King of Rock and Roll. The two onstage swings, Bella Donald and Brandon Thompson, also make a welcome return.

Another returnee is George Olney, last seen on stage at Salisbury Playhouse in the production of A Chorus of Disapproval (2024), as well as appearing in the 2022/23 panto, Cinderella, as the prince. 

Andy and Gareth talk all things panto, including a couple of interesting insights into the work that goes into putting the panto on, from the writing of the script, design of the set and costumes and the team that makes the magic happen:

Listen to the interview in full:

Wiltshire Creative is once again inviting us to Salisburyshire for what they describe as a giant musical pantomime!

We are told to expect colourful costumes and songs full of pop; it promises festive delight for all the family.

The audience, along with the cast, will embark on an awesome adventure as Jack sets out on a daring mission to rescue Dolly the Cow.

Can our happy-go-lucky hero triumph over the music-hating Giant?

Can he and the Fairy Fabulous King of Rock and Roll restore the joy of singing to Salisburyshire? And will Jack ever win Jill’s heart?

This classic tale will be sprinkled with Salisbury magic by the writers and designers of last year’s award-winning pantomime, Sleeping Beauty (Best Costume Design, UK Pantomime Association Awards 2025). Make your festive season sparkle with fee-fi-fo family fun!

Wiltshire Creative's Artistic Director, Gareth Machin, returns as the Panto's director with the script again written by Clare Plested, Adam Brown and Amanda Wilshe, a comedy team with over 20 years of writing, directing and performing comedy theatre. Together they have written the last three pantos for Salisbury Playhouse, with rave reviews of each one of those shows. 

Full cast:

Cast: George Olney (Jack), Nic James (Fairy Fabulous), Isabella Mason (Jill), Emma Norman (Fleshcreep), Eloise Runnette (Dolly the Cow), Dan Smith (Dame Caroline Trotter), Thomas Sutcliffe (Pavarotti Perkins), Bella Donald (Onstage Swing), Brandon Thompson (Onstage Swing).

Writers: Plested, Brown and Wilsher; Director: Gareth Machin; Designer: Katie Lias; Lighting Designer: Nic Farman; Sound Designer: Michael Scott; Choreographer: Julia Cave, Musical Director: Daniel Looseley, Casting Director: Natalie Gallacher CDG.