Vikki Stone to feature in Shrewsbury pantomime

Singing comedian Vikki Stone is a fast-rising comic, actress and composer, best known for her appearances on The John Bishop Show (BBC One); I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, That Sunday Night Show and This Morning (ITV1).

She's also appeared on Richard Hammond's Secret Service (BBC); Impractical Jokers (BBC3); The Hilary Devey Story (BBC2); Flash Prank (MTV) and she is also the voice of The Reflex for Channel 4's new late night quiz show Beat The Reflex.

But she will stop her regular TV work from Wednesday until January 10 as she takes up a role in Shrewsbury's annual pantomime.

Stone will feature in Dick Whittington at Theatre Severn as Fairy Bowells. She'll be playing alongside Brad Fitt, Eric Smith, Jemma Carlisle, Josh James and Ben Thornton, among others – and she can't wait.

Her unique mix of stand-up and musical comedy has made her one of the fastest rising stars of British comedy.

She performs regularly across the country at major clubs, festivals and theatres as well as appearing regularly on radio and television.

Vikki said: "The rehearsals have been very intense.

"It's incredible how something that's so jolly and fun can be so serious in rehearsal.

"But that's just a sign of our determination to get it right. I got my script a little while ago, but I've been so busy that I've had to learn my lines during the rehearsals.

"It's great to be in such a fantastic theatre here in Shrewsbury. It's rare; there isn't a bad seat in the house.

"The backstages of many theatres would surprise punters because they're so filthy – so it's nice to be in a dressing room that doesn't smell."

Stone is looking forward to playing a part in a show that has plenty of gags, mayhem and show-stopping scenes.

An estimated 38,000 people descend to see whether Tommy the Cat will vanquish the evil King Rat, whether Dick will become Lord Mayor and whether Dolly will fit into all her frocks.

Vikki added: "It's great to be out in the country.

"I'm already exploring things in Shrewsbury. I tend to try and eat in independent places if I can. I'm veggie so the first thing I did was Google local restaurants and they are great."

Vikki has had an interesting transition into panto, having previously spent most of her time working in comedy or TV.

"The thing that's so surprising is that I'm the newest person in the cast. I'm from a TV background and it's been incredible to watch how the other guys have all just dropped into their characters.

"They all know the format, they are an extremely talented cast. They are like a little self-contained troupe. Eric and Brad just slot back in. You can see that their relationship is there. In a West End show, the cast will typically rehearse for eight weeks and one of the reasons for that is so that they can get the relationships and find the characters.

"With this, there's no nonsense, they come with their A-game from the start of rehearsals."

Vikki is used to working with John Bishop, Christopher Eccleston, Brian Cox and Pixie Lott in her TV work, but she's delighted to swop the TV studio for the theatre.

"Panto is great. For a long time it was out of fashion among comics. But now it's back in. Marcus Brigstocke is doing it in Wimbledon. Decent comics now think it's fine. There was a time when it was just The Chuckle Brothers and Bobby Davro and it wasn't the done thing for newer comics. But now it's becoming cool. So when I was approached, I said I'd like to do it but I wanted to do my own song. I wanted to do my own take on it.

"It's great that panto brings newcomers into the theatre. It's halfway between theatre and stand-up. I think what's quite funny is that I might say something different – they want me to stick to the script but I might go off-piste.

"I like playing with the audience. Part of my job is responding to what's in the moment so I think things will change in every show. The great thing about being the fairy is that I always come on by myself so I can get away with talking to the audience and being a bit daft."

By Andy Richardson