Panto villain Paul returns to York Theatre Royal - The goody, the baddy and the ugly sisters

The pair first appeared together as the sisters Manky and Mardy in Cinderella in 2021. Now in his third Theatre Royal pantomime appearance Yorkshire actor Paul will step aboard the magic carpet as the villainous Abanazar opposite Robin’s Dame Dotty.

“I like to think I’m a bit of a joker and have been trying to think of something witty and sharp to say about returning to the pantomime at York. But the truth is I genuinely feel I’m coming home to be with family – the amazing team at York from front of house and backstage crew to the amazing creative team,” says Paul.

“I’m always welcomed with open arms, be it working there or just popping in for a sit-down and coffee. York is a very special place and the theatre for me is the heart of it.”

But what of the prospect of a reunion with Robin Simpson?  “My wonderful (ugly) sister, brother, dressing room mate and most beautiful friend Robin … what can I say? He is so lucky to have me … ha, ha, ha,” jokes Paul.

“We just click, we trust each other on stage and I can’t wait to be looking across into those big eyes, wondering what on earth he is going to come out with next. What can be better than being the bad man opposite this good woman?”

Robin said: “I am delighted to be working with my 'partner in crime’ again for this year’s York Theatre Royal pantomime. As soon as I heard that Paul was involved I rang him up to ask him not to upstage me this time. I don’t hold out much hope. I’m used to it. I was upstaged by Zeus the dog last year after all. 

“Can’t wait to start rehearsals for Aladdin and I’m looking forward to all the fun we’ll have.”

In the past Robin has said: “Acting is a collaborative process, then at the end of the day you wave goodbye. Occasionally you say ‘working with this person is something special’. It’s like that with Paul.”

After playing the Uglies the pair appeared together in a summer rep season at Harrogate Theatre in John Godber’s Men of the World and Abigail’s Party.

As for playing the villain in Aladdin, Paul says: “I’ve always loved playing the baddy. I played so many baddies when my daughter Molly was a child that she used to call me baddy daddy.”

Yorkshire-born Paul’s TV and film credits include Upgraded, All Creatures Great and Small, Emmerdale, Old Jack’s Boat, Doctors, Heartbeat, Where the Heart Is and Holby City. Theatre credits include Ghost Story (No 1 tour), A Midsummer Night’s Dream & Macbeth (Lunchbox Theatrical Prods), Men of the World and Abigail’s Party (Harrogate Rep), War Horse. (National Theatre), Birdsong (original West End cast), Miss Saigon (West End) and Jesus Christ Superstar (West End).

Robin’s Dame Dotty follows a hat-trick of main stage pantomime Dame appearances as Ugly Sister Manky in Cinderella, Mrs Smee in All New Adventures of Peter Pan and Dame Trott in Jack and the Beanstalk. Robin also played Dame in the theatre’s Travelling Pantomime which toured to city venues.

Aladdin director Juliet Forster said: "I'm thrilled to have Paul Hawkyard back this year, it's always a barrel of laughs when Paul and Robin work together. I don't have a hope of keeping them in order though...!"

The Aladdin cast also includes CBeebies and CBBC superstar Evie Pickerill as the Spirit of the Ring.

Once again the York Theatre Royal and Evolution Productions co-production is written by Paul Hendy and directed by the theatre’s Creative Director Juliet Forster.

Aladdin runs from 3 December 2024 to 5 January 2025.  See website for various times.

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