Gareth John Bale, best known for portraying Welsh rugby legend Ray Gravell, is swapping serious roles for panto as one half of the Ugly Sisters in RCT Theatres' production of Cinderella. The show runs at The Coliseum Theatre in Aberdare from November 27 to December 6, before moving to The Park & Dare Theatre in Treorchy from December 12 to Christmas Eve.
From Grav to the Ugly Sisters
Bale, who played Gravell in the film Grav and the one-man stage show of the same name, takes on the role of Mylie alongside Richard Tunley as fellow Ugly Sister Kylie. Tunley, known for creating past RCT pantos and comedy productions with his company Black RAT Productions, also wrote and directs the show.
His TV credits include Steeltown Murders, The Indian Doctor, Requiem and Casualty.
Playing a panto baddie
Bale said the audience reaction, particularly from children, is what he enjoys most about panto. "As the Ugly Sisters the audience should not like us so it is great fun playing a baddie and trying to get as many boos as possible!" He added that the sisters are "great fun to play" and the aim is to make people laugh.
He noted that panto is often a child's first theatre experience, so there is a responsibility to ensure they have a good time. "The story needs to be clear, bright and fun," he said.
Approaching panto versus serious roles
Bale explained that panto requires bigger, bolder choices. "All of your choices have to be clear and help the storytelling. It's an opportunity to be big, bold and melodramatic."
He has played real-life figures including Ray Gravell and Aneurin Bevan in Nye and Jennie. "I felt a duty to both Ray and Aneurin themselves and their families, to be as thorough as possible with the research," he said, adding that he watched hours of footage and spoke to people who knew them.
Favourite roles and working with Tunley
Bale said he has enjoyed many roles, including West by Owen Thomas, which he performs with his partner Gwenllian Higginson, and Grav, which has seen 207 shows to date. "It's an honour to play such a wonderful man and the show has had a massive impact on my life as well as my career," he said.
On working with Tunley, Bale said: "We enjoy being on stage together, trust each other and make each other laugh… but if there's any corpsing with laughter, he definitely started it…"
Cinderella includes audio described, BSL and relaxed performances. More information is available at rct-theatres.co.uk.
