If there’s a knock at the door this Christmas and you open it to find a TV comedian and a film star dressed as pirates, don’t be alarmed.

With their own Yuletide plans left in disarray by a gruelling panto schedule, Marcus Brigstocke and Verne Troyer, the stars of Peter Pan at New Wimbledon Theatre have threatened to take to the streets.

Comedian Marcus told us: “We’re just going to knock on people’s doors in Wimbledon and just say: ‘Look, it’s the season of goodwill, we’re pretty tired, we’ve done two shows, please can we have some Turkey?’

“We’ll test the mettle of the people of Wimbledon.”

Normally Verne, best known for playing Mini Me in the Austin Powers films, would be having family festivities over in the States but instead he and Marcus will be in their first panto.

Marcus added: “It smashes Christmas to bits if you’re in the show but, on the other hand, we’re seeing thousands of people come and be entertained.

“It will be lovely to think that Peter Pan would be a highlight of their Christmas – and we’ll have a big party some time in late January.”

Surrey Comet:

Picture by Craig Sugden

For Verne, 46, the appeal of pantomime was the chance to do something different.

He said: “I’ve never done anything like that. When you do film, you get a cut and you can do it again. In this atmosphere, you’re not going to get that chance.

“I’m just going to dive straight in.”

It seemed like a logical choice for Marcus, 42, who has been a stand-up comedian and TV presenter since the 1990s, has appeared on children’s TV shows such as Sorry I’ve Got No Head and has stage credits including Spamalot.

He said: “It is kind of bringing together all of the things I do.

“It’s scripted, there’s space to create your own stuff, there’s a little bit of space for improv in there. Then I have done a bit of stuff in theatre and musical theatre so it is kind of bringing together everything I love, so it’s perfect.”

It is also close to home for Marcus, who lives in Balham, and at a theatre at which he has fond memories.

He said: “I opened Spamalot in Wimbledon, which was very cool and probably the most scared I’ve been on stage. I’ve been more scared than that once, going off a ski jump.”

Marcus plays Captain Hook and is revelling in the chance to be the bad guy.


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He said: “Everybody says playing baddies is fun and I’ve never really done it before and this is great.

“I would love for kids watching this to be just on the edge of being a little bit scared. Not terrified – I don’t want to ruin their day out – but just a bit scared.”

Diminutive Verne plays the ironically named Lofty Longstaff.

Marcus said: “Verne has got some really cool stuff with the guy playing Smee, Jarred Christmas.

“Jarred is an old friend of mine from stand-up. There is kind of a rivalry between Lofty Longstaff and Smee for my affection. There is some really cool stuff they have worked up together.”

As well as Verne and Marcus and Chortle Comedy Award winner Jarred Christmas, Peter Pan has a talented cast throughout.

Verne said: “Flawless, the (Britain’s Got Talent-finalist) dance group, is playing a bunch of pirates and what they do on stage is just amazing.”

“It really is,” added Marcus. “It is jaw-droppingly good.

“They’ve been generous too. I don’t know if you know this but neither Verne nor I are classically trained dancers. They are great with the way they work with what you can do to make it look good.”

Another stand-out according to Marcus and Verne is Francesca Mills, who plays Tinkerbell.

Marcus said: “She has to find that line. Because she is Tinkerbell, she is the one that the younger kids love the most. She is just on point with everything.

“She’s really funny, she’s a great singer, a great dancer, her flying and roller skating are awesome.”

Peter Pan is at New Wimbledon Theatre from Saturday (December 5) until Sunday, January 10. Tickets cost from £10. Go to atgtickets.com/wimbledon