We meet Scott Mills who's starring in this years panto at Swansea Grand Theatre
We chat with the one and only Scott Mills, who’s starring in this year’s glittering panto ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ at Swansea Grand Theatre. This Christmas, Scott takes centre stage in a show that’s guaranteed to be a giant hit with audiences young and old, get your tickets now!
As Swansea Grand prepares for this year’s giant pantomime Jack and The Beanstalk, we speak with everyone’s favourite radio DJ Scott Mills who will star as Mayor Mills (who funnily enough has his own local radio station in panto land!) this year reprising his role having made his panto debut in 2023.
Scott, last year was your first performing in panto – how was that for you?
Initially I was terrified! When the script came through, I thought – can I actually do this, can I remember all these words? It was genuinely unlike anything I’ve ever done before; I may have previously had to learn maybe a paragraph for TV but a whole show? It was super nerve wracking, but I always say I like to do something which is out of my comfort zone and last year it was panto. And as it turned out I loved every minute.
Everyone was so kind to me last year and when we started rehearsing something just clicked and I found out I could do it! Being in the room and in the headspace, it just sort of happened. It was such an intense bubble of learning and silliness it quickly moved from being terrifying to me thinking wow this is going to be FUN!
I had such a good time. All the cast all the crew, everyone, was exceptionally supportive of me as a newbie! Everyone says that your panto family become like family and its true! I’ve got new friends for life; in fact I got the panto blues when it ended last year. It was such a fun experience and that’s why I’m doing it again! This time in Swansea.
What are you most looking forward to?
I’m really looking forward to the adrenaline buzz you get from going out live on stage. As soon as the music and lights come up and you hear the audience from your dressing room it’s a real buzz. Even if you’re really tired there’s no feeling like it. It’s amazing to look out and see the looks on the kids’ faces. Mum and dad are there, Gran and Grandad are there, the whole family and they are all having such a good time. It’s an absolute must for so many people at Christmas, panto and Christmas just go hand in hand for me, a lot of people make it part of their celebrations. To hear and see those audiences, well, I just can’t wait.
I’m also looking forward to meeting the rest of the cast. I’ve met Kev (Johns) before, he is Mr Swansea, I mean, he’s everywhere! I’ve worked on events with him in Wales and am looking forward to being part of the Swansea Grand team this year!
The Swansea audiences are renowned for getting stuck in with panto, it’s a real tradition in the city.
So I have heard! My husband and family live about 30 minutes from Swansea Grand so I know the area and the theatre really well and visit a lot. When I was at BBC radio 1 a few years ago we did a big weekend there which was amazing so I’m all over Swansea and South Wales. You can’t beat the Welsh, the humour the warmth, and I know from talking to my in-laws what a massive deal panto is in Swansea – everyone goes, and that’s what I can’t wait to be part of!
You’re bringing your ‘Mayor Mills’ back to the stage do you think you’ll bring anything new to your character this year?
Yes he is back, and now that I have the confidence I didn’t know I had, I’m looking forward to playing with him a little more. He still needs to be kind as he is there to look after the community, so I won’t be turning him into the panto villain overnight, but I’m looking forward to bringing in a bit more to him.
And this year you will be working with a brand new never-seen-before digital set….
That is just so exciting. It just looks phenomenal; I know the previous Swansea set won awards and I’ve heard this one will be just as sensational. There’s so much you can do with these kinds of sets it’s insane. I think these days when people come to panto when they may not have been for a while, they can be quite taken aback at quite how good it is and the digital sets give it a whole new lease of life! It’s next level - I can’t wait.
It’s a busy time of year for you with panto running alongside your BBC radio 2 radio show how do you do it- do you sleep?
Well, its nuts!! But we make it work. Last year on Christmas day, which was pretty much the only day off, I slept a lot! I don’t think I made it past 3pm… it was dinner and then sleep. But I wouldn’t change it. Once you are into the run the adrenaline keeps you going.
It sounds like you’re a panto fan! Will we be talking to you on the 50th panto anniversary in years to come?
Oh yeah absolutely – I’ve always loved panto as an audience member and now I love it even more being on the stage. I truly hope so, it’s so fun! I get now why people say once you do panto you’ll get the bug. Guess what they are right. I have the panto bug and its not going anywhere soon!
The Trots are so poor they don’t have a bean to their name and what’s more, there’s an evil and greedy giant terrifying the village. Will they really have to sell Buttercup, the family cow just to survive? Can Jack defeat the giant, win the heart of the girl he loves and turn the Trots’ fortunes around?
Book your tickets for this ‘moo-vellous’ family friendly panto which will leave everyone aged 4 to 104 feeling full of ‘beans’! Tickets are on sale now at swanseagrand.co.uk.
