BB FANS

CAMERON LOVES TO PLAY THE KING


11:00 - 15 December 2005

You say either, I say either ... at His Majesty's Theatre pantomime this year, they may just call the whole thing off.

Cameron Stout says the script of the Christmas show has thrown up so many dialect differences, the cast have had many laughs sorting out the Jack And The Beanstalk dialogue.

The Evening Express columnist reveals: "Jack falls in love with Princess Apricot, as I would call it - or Princess Ape-ricot they would call her. The dialect has caused a few arguments.

"In this panto there are English folk, Scottish folk, folk from Orkney. There is a big mixture of dialects and we're playing on that a little bit."

Joining Cameron in the show is Miles Jupp (Archie from Balamory, pictured below) and West End singer Marti Webb.

Cameron says: "It's another great cast again this year, and it's just fantastic joining in with such talented people.

"I don't have nearly so much singing to do this year so I don't know if that reflects on my performance last year or not.

"There are some really big numbers, and when the whole music and dancing thing is going on, it's great. That's what I love most about panto."

Cameron is playing King Crumble, father of Princess Apricot. Alan McHugh, who was the dame in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves last year, is back playing Dame Trott in Jack And The Beanstalk.

"It's great to see Alan again. There's a lot of banter between us. He's from further south in Scotland and speaks substantially differently.

"We're trying to put a lot of local stuff into it because that's what people like to see."

Although he won Big Brother a few years ago, Cameron says there is little mention made of it in this year's pantomime. "Thankfully there are no Big Brother gags. Already by last year it was wearing a little bit thin.

"Archie from Balamory has the younger kids link this year. He is the way into the panto, being the Simple Simon character. He is the children's friend.

"This year, we're playing on my Orcadian roots, my links with Aberdeen, and I'm allowing myself a 'phenomenal' at one stage, but that's about the height of it thankfully."

Cameron's biggest challenge is being himself on stage, he says. "In a sense, I've just got to be Cameron on stage, which is very difficult. Being a king, and yet being yourself is quite hard to juggle.

"I would far rather hide behind a character and put on accents and things, but folk like me who have been on reality TV end up being themselves. That's what people want to see."

Performing in pantomime is the highlight of Cameron's year, he confesses.

"Considering how reticent I was the first time I agreed to do panto, and then I realised how much fun it was and now I love it. It's brilliant.

The other bonus of pantomime, according to Cameron, is getting to spend six weeks in the same city. "I still only get one or two nights a week at home in Orkney. That's why I look forward to panto because I get six weeks in one bed. It makes a big difference.

"This year I've been up and down to London, Birmingham, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and nobody is more surprised than me that it is still going on."

Cameron, who used to be a fish farmer, can't believe how his life has changed since his Big Brother win.

He reveals: "There's not really a normal life any more. I haven't been working in the fish industry at all, but you never know. This line of work is so fickle and it could all end tomorrow."

Next year, however, brings more plans and changes to the Stout lifestyle. "I've been engaged by the National Trust for Scotland to be their cruise director on the Black Prince and we're talking about another musical next year, which I'll do if it fits.

The best thing about Cameron's celebrity status is that he can be himself - a role that he's best at, he says. "The best things about being a star of reality TV is that people know you for what you are. There's not this barrier to get over that you're a famous actor or that kind of thing. They just think 'Oh that's him'."

After the pantomime ends, Cameron is planning to take a well-earned rest at his new holiday home in Spain. "I haven't had a proper break for months. It's just been a case of snatching a few days here and there. I'm really looking forward to taking a holiday."


Evening Express


Saw this just before going to bed so thought I'd post it Sounds like Cameron is having fun anyway

Phenomenal

I went to see the panto on Friday. It was a good laugh and the cast all seem to get on really well. Simon and dame trot really make a good comedy double act. overall the panto was phenomenal.

Glad you enjoyed yourself FF - it sounds super

Found this really nice story on the EE website the other day but forgot to post it...

CAM HELPS DIANE WARD OFF THE CHRISTMAS BLUES

GORDON COUTTS

11:00 - 16 December 2005

Diane McDougall got the shock of her life when panto star Cameron Stout gave her a Christmas to remember

The Peterhead grandmother-of-four has been in hospital for four months and has had 11 operations on one of her hips.

She was down at the thought of spending Christmas in hospital so son Graham decided she needed cheering up.

Knowing that his 59-year-old mum was a big Cam fan he contacted the Orkney idol's pals at the Evening Express.

Could he take a break from panto to pop into the hospital and make Graham's mum's day?

Oh yes, he could.

When Cameron turned up at Diane's bedside at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary's Ward 47 armed with flowers and chocolates she couldn't believe her eyes.

And she was so pleased to see the Evening Express columnist she was overcome with emotion.

Diane - who has three grown-up sons and lives in Peterhead with husband Peter, 60, - said with tears in her eyes: "This is a really nice surprise.

"I'm a big fan of Cameron's. I had no idea he was coming in but it's really good to see him."

Diane went into hospital for a hip replacement operation in August.

There were complications when her hip was removed and the area was infected.

Diane has since had 10 operations to tackle the infection.

She was in Woodend Hospital until four weeks ago, when she was rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after haemorrhaging during an operation.

She had surgery again on Tuesday and doctors hope the infection has finally been cleared.

But she is still weak and may have to stay in ARI over Christmas.

She had hoped to see grandchildren Keeleigh, 13, Peter, 13, Gavin, 9, and Isla, 1.

Son Graham, 32, said: "She's been through a lot and was beginning to get down about it all.

"She's a big fan of Cameron so I thought it would cheer her up if he came and visited.

"He was great with her and has definitely put the smile back on her face.

"It's really kind of him to give up his time to come and see her and I want to say a big thanks."

Cameron, who is appearing as King Crumble in Jack And The Beanstalk at His Majesty's Theatre, said: "She did get a bit of a shock when I came in but it was nice to be able to cheer her up.

"It can't be much fun to be in hospital for so long, especially around Christmas.

"But it's great that Diane has caring family around her that look after her and I was really pleased I could come and see her."

From ThisIsAberdeen

awww Cameron that was a very nice thing to do. Time for a lot of these:

Aww! What a lovely story!

Have found photographs of the pantomime here on EventsCaptured

The set and costumes look absolutely stunning! Down at the bottom there are a load of photographs from last year's pantomime just so you know! Click on galleries at the top to see them.

Thanks Jezi

The costumes certainly look very colourful.

I had a fantastic time at the Panto last Friday, all the cast did an excellent job of putting on a great show.

Talk about Christmas cracker jokes with a difference! I knew what was coming nearly everytime, especially the "fresian" joke about Daisy.

was is something like "is it cold? yes I'm fresian"???

I love bad jokes, I do.

Almost, the cow (Daisy) was shaking and they asked if it was cold, so it shook it's head "no", then they said, "it's not cold, it's fresian"!

I knew what was coming but... I admit I laughed.

Was at the pantomime tonight and can honestly say I thought it was absolutely brilliant During this festive season I saw 'another' panto which TBH I wasn't a fan of so was a bit about going to another one but it was about 25 million times better.

The cast were all super, I especially liked the company numbers with all the singing and dancing but there wasn't really a bit I didn't like.

Personal favourites were Archie from Balamory playing Simple Simon, he just acted out the character soooo well, it was hysterical Also the Dame was hilarious (despite the fact without the make up and costume I never realised at all who he was until somebody mentioned the character and it clicked ) and King Crumble wasn't too bad either.

Due to really being a muppet and texting in the car on the way to HMT I was feeling rather ropey for pretty much the entire first half but still enjoyed it and was probably a bit mesmorised by it. There was mention of the word muppet in the first act and being the complete eejit I am I presumed this was going to be the only 'reference' to me. Boy was I wrong In the second half there was this bit where Simon and the Dame did call outs and Happy Birthday messages to people in the audience - 'to Jezi the muppet and that's from King Crumble' or something along those lines. rofl!!! Felicity will maybe be able to give you a better idea but it certainly felt like my face was a mixture of and

But yes, had a ball and shall most definitely be back next year (Cameron is not knowing the date however ) cos everything was really top class

Oh I was keen to know how you got on, Jezi. Sounds great.

Glad you got a deserved special mention.