With Jack and the Beanstalk now open at The Capitol Theatre in Horsham, Archie Durrant plays Jack alongside Taziva-Faye Katsande as Jill and the pantomime’s director John Partridge as Fleshcreep, with the show running until Sunday 5th January 2025. This year, Archie played Mark Anthony in A Chorus Line at Curve Leicester, Sadler’s Wells and on the UK Tour, and he was in the cast of Take That’s Greatest Days for their 2023 UK & Ireland Tour. Further stage roles for Archie include playing Louis Leonowens in The King and I at The London Palladium, Bruce Bogtrotter in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical, the Boy in The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre for his first professional job, and made his West End debut as Mike Teavee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, before taking over the role of Charlie Bucket. Archie trained at Laine Theatre Arts, and 2025 will see him start a new project, which is yet to be announced. We caught up with Archie ahead of opening in Jack and the Beanstalk at The Capitol Theatre in Horsham about playing Jack in the pantomime, his time as Mark Anthony in A Chorus Line and being in the cast of Take That’s Greatest Days.

What are you looking forward to most for starring in this year’s pantomime of Jack and the Beanstalk at The Capitol in Horsham as Jack?

I think I’m most excited this year about playing Jack Trott as it’s a role I have never played before and it’s a classic panto story I haven’t done previously either.

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

I am hoping to bring a rather charismatic approach to the role, after all, Jack does become the fairytale hero in the end. I’m preparing for it by doing lots of plot analysis and wearing plenty of Lynx Africa.

How familiar were you with Jack and the Beanstalk as a pantomime before booking the role and how was it reading this year’s script for the first time?

Jack and the Beanstalk was always a story I was familiar with growing up after reading various adaptations. What’s brilliant about this year’s script is that it has the perfect balance of storyline and classic panto fun. I found myself laughing out loud many times during my first read through of it.

What do you think it will be like working alongside the rest of the cast, which includes Taziva-Faye Katsande as Jill and John Partridge (who is also directing the production) as Fleshcreep?

Taziva-Faye Katsande is an absolute joy to work with and brilliant to play alongside. John Partridge is super inspiring both on stage and as a creative. He has truly nurtured this production into such a great place and I am very grateful that he trusted me in taking on this role.

Having worked on pantomimes previously, including playing Peter Pan in Woking last year, what do you enjoy about performing in pantomimes and interacting with the audience?

What I love most about pantomime is that it’s a theatrical spectacle that cannot be replicated. It’s so deeply embedded in British theatre culture and I love how it brings people from all different sectors of the industry together. With family fun and audience interaction, I believe it’s a perfect first time watch for any youngsters, yet an absolute classic for every year panto fans.

Why would you recommend booking tickets to see Jack and the Beanstalk in Horsham this Christmas?

Tickets are selling fast, so get them while you can! Ticket holders are in for a real treat, lots of song and dance for everyone!!

Earlier this year, you played Mark Anthony in A Chorus Line at Curve Leicester, Sadler’s Wells and on the UK Tour, how was your time in the musical?

I had an absolute blast on tour this year, such a fun experience and an incredible show to take on the road. Mark was a very enjoyable role to play, with dynamic dancing and cleverly-written music to sing.

How was it playing Mark Anthony and what was it like taking the show around the country?

It was my second time touring around the UK, so it was great getting the chance to perform in lots of my favourite theatres again.

What was it like being in the cast of the UK & Ireland Tour of Take That’s Greatest Days and performing the music and choreography?

It has always been a dream of mine to be in a boyband, so getting the chance to go out on stage every night and live that dream was just amazing. It had such a clever script, which was written by the incredible Tim Firth, and I very much enjoyed performing Aaron Renfree’s choreography to classic Take That hits!

How did you find the experience playing Louis Leonowens in The King and I at The London Palladium?

The Palladium theatre is a stunning theatre to perform at and getting the chance to work alongside Tony Award-winner Kelli O’Hara and Tony-nominee Ken Watanabe was an amazing experience.

How was it getting into character as Bruce Bogtrotter in the West End production of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical and what was the show like to be part of?

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical is one of my most favourite shows. Getting the chance to play the role of Bruce was huge amounts of fun, not to mention eating chocolate cake every night!

For your West End debut, you played Mike Teavee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and then took over the role of Charlie Bucket, do you have any favourite memories from your time in the musical that you can share?

I remember being amazed by the size of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane stage and backstage area, I’ve been back since the refurbishment and the theatre still has that same magical feel. Changing to the role of Charlie Bucket was an absolute privilege as it marked my lead role West End debut. I will always be grateful for the opportunities that beautiful musical handed me.

Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into it?

I always danced a lot as a child, I can remember being so inspired the year Diversity won Britain’s Got Talent that I decided to join an after-school street dance club. From there, I took on various other dance classes and started to move into more musical theatre including singing and acting. I was lucky enough to book my first professional job at nine years old as the Boy in The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre in London. From there, my love for theatre just grew and blossomed into what it is today.

What are some of your favourite theatre shows to watch, and how do you like to spend your free time?

I would have to say that one of my all-time favourite shows is Spring Awakening, which I was lucky enough to do as my third year musical at college (Laine Theatre Arts). In terms of my free time, I like spending it with family and friends as due to being on the road the last two years, I really do treasure any time I get to see them.

Do you have any projects coming up, apart from Jack and the Beanstalk, that you can tell us about and what are you hoping next year brings for you?

I am starting an exciting new chapter next year which I can’t yet announce. I am hopeful for what the future holds and anticipate a busy and enjoyable time ahead.

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