Until Sunday 5th January, Marc Pickering will be playing Herman von Bad Apple in Snow White at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield, alongside a cast including Matthew Croke and Catherine Tyldesley, and he performed in their pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk in 2022 as Luke Backinager. Last year, Marc played The Hardthrasers in Bleak Expectations at West End’s Criterion Theatre, and in 2022, he played Garcia in Zorro the Musical at Charing Cross Theatre. Whilst theatres were closed due to the pandemic, Marc was part of the streamed production of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, and on screen, he played Montparnasse in the 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables, and Young Masbath for his first screen role in Sleepy Hollow, with Johnny Depp starring. Chatting with us, Marc told us about playing Herman von Bad Apple in Snow White at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield, being in the cast of Bleak Expectations and Zorro the Musical and filming Sleepy Hollow for his first screen role.

How would you describe your character Herman von Bad Apple in this year’s pantomime Snow White at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield, and what will you bring to the character?

Well, he’s the Queen’s, hopefully, lovable henchman, he has the awful job of finding Snow White and is even told to kill her, but he is a kind soul at heart so finds this task very upsetting. I hope he makes everyone laugh and they actually end up liking Herman as he really isn’t a baddie after all.

How was it reading this year’s script for the first time and meeting the rest of the cast?

Well, I did it last year in Northampton so I’m lucky in the sense that I only have to revise my lines as a lot of them are still floating about up there in my head, but little bits obviously change depending on who is in it and I’m looking forward to making it all fresh with a brand new cast.

What do you enjoy most about working on pantomimes and interacting with the audience?

It’s just that magical time of year, isn’t it? Made more so for me as I have an 18 month old at home so I’m not looking forward to being away from her but to see the kids’ faces light up and join in with the interaction is just amazing. I love the immediate reactions you get in theatre, getting laughs is the best feeling and to play off the energy in the room is what I love in the acting game.

What are you looking forward to for performing in Snow White, which runs at the Lyceum Theatre until Sunday 5th January?

Just getting through it in all honesty! We need to find out where the laughs come and what the rhythms are but once we have opened and had a few goes I’m just looking forward to having fun on stage and making people smile.

Why would you recommend booking tickets to see Snow White in Sheffield?

Because it’s fun for all the family, old and young. It’s usually an introduction to the magic of theatre for lots of children and there is something in it for everyone.

How does it feel to be returning to the Lyceum Theatre having played Luke Backinager in Jack and the Beanstalk in 2022, and what was that pantomime like to be part of?

It feels great, I’m from Hull originally so it’s so nice to be back up north and have people actually say hello to you in the street rather than blank you like they do in London. Luke Backinager was a great part to play but a bit lonely, whereas in Snow White I get to interact with the rest of the cast more so I’m looking forward to that.

Last year, you were performing in Bleak Expectations at the Criterion Theatre in the West End as The Hardthrashers, what were your characters like to play and how did the run go?

They were fun, I tend to do a lot of stage work playing multiple roles, which are always fun even though they can be very tiring. The Hardthrashers were outrageous, all siblings and all pretty horrible. Playing Mrs Hardthrasher with a moustache was one I’ll remember the most for some reason. 👀

What was it like playing Garcia in Zorro the Musical at Charing Cross Theatre in 2022?

It was hot, I had to wear a thick guard uniform and the production was underground in the summer so I just remember sweating a lot, but the music in that show is great and it was a great ensemble cast and I enjoyed it very much.

Whilst theatres were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, you were in the cast of the streamed production of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, what was this like to work on?

Fabian was a great part to play, spoilt, stuck-up, rich businessman, quite a stretch from my usual roles.

It was a shame we never got to perform in front of an audience but the fact that it was streamed was great and we were lucky to be working during the pandemic in the first place really.

On screen, you played Montparnasse in the 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables, how was this?

Great experience, getting to meet Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and, of course, Sacha Baron Cohen. My big scene with him was cut in the final edit though unfortunately. But that’s just the way it goes sometimes.

What are some of your stand-out memories from playing Young Masbath in Sleepy Hollow for your first screen role?

Well, that was just incredible, the peak of my career really, it’s all gone downhill since then, ha! I jest but it really was an amazing experience, it was just like walking round a theme park for little 12-year-old me. All the sets, getting picked up in the car every day, staying in posh hotels. Getting per diem and, of course, getting matey with the man himself Johnny Depp. He really looked after me and I just wish I’d have kept in touch.

Do you have any further favourite highlights from your screen and theatre career so far that you can share?

Boardwalk Empire, for me, was a huge highlight of my career. Getting to meet and play the younger version of Steve Buscemi was just a dream come true. I loved the series already so when I was actually on the set filming, it was quite a surreal experience and a real pinch me moment.

How did you get into acting and was it something you always wanted to do professionally?

Randomly, me and my family were walking through Hull City Centre and I saw a sign that said open auditions for The Sound of Music… I had no idea what the show was, but just saw all these kids going in and I said to my dad “I wouldn’t mind trying that”, so we went in and they let me audition… I didn’t get the job but it gave me the passion to start thinking about it as real hobby. My dad got me into an am dram company in Leeds and I got the part of The Artful Dodger and the rest is history.

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

I’ve just re-watched Better Call Saul for the second time round, so I’m doing Breaking Bad again at the moment for the fourth time – best show ever. The Sopranos, all those crime thrillers I love. I love Shane Meadows and all of his films, gritty northern dark comedy is my thing. I would love to play Mickey in Blood Brothers on stage one day too.

What are you hoping next year brings for you?

Work, work and more work… TV, film, voiceover and stage, whatever I can get but something in the West End for a long run would be great… Oh, and maybe have another baby! 🥰