From Friday 6th December, Regan Gascoigne will be playing the Prince in Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre & Opera House pantomime Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs. Regan will be working closely with Twist and Pulse as the Wicked Queen’s Henchmen and Grace Davison as Snow White, with the pantomime running until Sunday 5th January. Last year, Regan was touring the UK and Ireland as one of the band members in Take That’s Greatest Days musical, and in 2021, he was a contestant on Dancing on Ice with professional skating partner Karina Manta, and they were announced as the winners of the 14th series. Catching up with Regan, he spoke about playing the Prince in Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House, being in the cast of Greatest Days last year and winning Dancing on Ice with Karina Manta in 2021.

What are you looking forward to for playing the Prince in this year’s Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs pantomime at Tyne Theatre & Opera House?

I’m so excited to be back on stage, and in my dad’s hometown. I love Newcastle, so it feels special to be playing a Prince here. It’s amazing to be working and performing with such a talented cast in this iconic show.

How are you preparing to play the Prince and what will you bring to the role?

I’ve been going over and over my lines, writing them out and making sure I know the flow of the scenes. I’ve also been watching some Disney movies for inspiration.

What do you think it will be like working with the rest of the cast and performing in Newcastle?

Amazing! Everyone is so lovely, and I think it’s going to be a great year!

What is it like performing in pantomimes and interacting with the audience?

It’s always so fun – nothing’s like panto. Getting the interaction with the audience is such a unique experience. The jokes, audience participation, and over-the-top storytelling make it truly one-of-a-kind.

How was it reading this year’s script for the first time?

Having met the cast before reading the script really helped. I could just hear and visualise how the lines would be delivered, and it’s going to be funny!

Why would you recommend families book tickets to see Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs, which is running at Tyne Theatre & Opera House from Friday 6th December to Sunday 5th January?

You should definitely come and book tickets for Tyne Theatre & Opera House. It’s going to be funny – a true traditional panto! It’s magical, entertaining, and perfect for all ages.

Last year, you were a band member in the UK & Ireland Tour of the Take That musical Greatest Days; was there anything that drew you to the show, and how was it performing the Take That music?

Honestly, I had the most amazing time! Getting to perform as the iconic Take That, touring the UK, and working with the most incredible cast and crew was incredible. I wish we had the opportunity to carry on touring the show – it really had everything.

How did you find the experience touring with the musical and seeing the audience response to the production?

Touring is something special. You quickly become a family with the cast, moving to a new city each week, checking that everyone arrived safely and where everyone’s staying.

Getting to perform in so many different theatres around the UK was amazing! You could really feel when the show resonated and connected with the audience.

I feel so lucky to have been part of such an incredible show. Looking back, I can really tell it was something special!

What are some of your favourite memories from being part of Greatest Days?

The people and the memories we made! Performing in different venues and theatres every day for basically a whole year felt like being with a family every day. The mischief we got up to!

Honestly, there were so many incredible moments – never a dull moment. Especially us boys; I never really had a group of mates like that, so it felt really special. We actually had an amazing time here in Newcastle! We were at the beach nearly every day.

In 2021, you won Dancing on Ice with your professional skating partner Karina Manta; did you have a favourite routine to perform, and how was it learning to skate?

I had the most incredible time! Dancing on Ice is an amazing show. Learning such an intricate skill and then being able to perform it is insane.

You become so close with your pro. Karina and I had such a great relationship – you spend so much time together on and off the ice. You really are living the ice experience together, with so much trust, respect, and all the emotions you go through.

At the end of the day, regardless of everything going on around you, it was just Karina and me on the ice, wanting to go out there and do our best to do each routine justice.

What did you enjoy most about your time on Dancing on Ice, and how did you feel being announced as the winner of the 14th series?

I never thought for one moment I would win the show! I was just grateful to have even been given the opportunity to do it. I really have to thank Dad for that! Without Dad being the footballer he is, I know I would have never been asked to do the show.

Again, just being able to perform all the time but with a whole new skill, with the most incredible pro Karina, was amazing.

It was a feeling I’m sure I’ll struggle to ever feel again, but I’m extremely grateful to have experienced it.

Where does your love of performing come from, and how did you get started in the industry?

I’ve always loved performing. Since I was little, I would always put on little shows at home. I knew I had a connection with performing from a young age – acting, singing, and dancing.

Then I went to Hammond Ballet School as an associate and later to Tring Park for the Performing Arts when I was 11. That’s when it became way more serious!

What are some of your favourite theatre shows to watch, and which would you like to see that you haven’t yet?

Hairspray, Miss Saigon, The Lion King, Wicked. I still haven’t seen Mrs. Doubtfire – I can’t wait to see that.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Outdoors! Nothing beats being outside in the wild, surrounded by nature, hiking, or running. The gym is another go-to for me.

Apart from Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs, do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about, and what are you hoping 2025 brings for you?

I’ve learnt that you really don’t ever know what’s around the corner – literally anything and everything could happen. I’m excited to see what surprises 2025 holds!

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