Theo Mayne is set to open in Jack and the Beanstalk on Saturday 6th December playing Fleshcreep at The Eric Morecambe Centre in Harpenden, where he works alongside Joe Johnston (Jack), Holly Elle Martin (Princess Jill) and Josh Handley as Tilly Trott, with Jack and the Beanstalk running until Tuesday 30th December, and Theo performed in pantomime last year, having played Dandini in Cinderella. Further stage projects for Theo include playing Miss Understanding in Priscilla Queen of the Desert at Rotherham Civic Centre, West Side Story and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. In Series 1 of The Traitors, Theo was a contestant where he was a Faithful all through the series, which is hosted by Claudia Winkleman, and Theo’s fellow contestants include Meryl Williams and Amanda Lovett. Having filmed for commercials, Theo is hoping to build on his screen resume, and he is a cheerleading coach and founded Mayne Allstars in Leeds. We caught up with Theo about playing Fleshcreep in Jack and the Beanstalk at The Eric Morecambe Centre in Harpenden, his stage credits including Miss Understanding in Priscilla Queen of the Desert and being a Series 1 contestant on The Traitors.

What are you looking forward to for opening in Jack and the Beanstalk at The Eric Morecambe Centre in Harpenden on Saturday 6th December and how are you preparing for the run?

I’m super excited to be part of Jack and the Beanstalk! I can’t wait to show Harpenden – and the whole panto world – my evil side. This will be my debut as a villain, so bringing Fleshcreep to life is something I’m really looking forward to.

Preparation has been intense. I’ve been researching the role of Fleshcreep as well as iconic panto villains to really understand what makes them so memorable. My head has been buried in the script non-stop for the past week. It’s a long one, so it’s been coming everywhere with me as I fit rehearsal and character work into my busy schedule.

How does it feel to be taking on the villainous role of Fleshcreep in pantomime this festive season and what can audiences expect from your portrayal?

I’m super excited to be taking on the role of Fleshcreep this festive season. I can’t wait to bring him to life on stage. Audiences can expect a wonderfully wicked but hilariously entertaining Fleshcreep, complete with a villainous laugh that’s sure to give you goosebumps!

How has it been meeting the Jack and the Beanstalk cast for the first time, which includes Joe Johnston as Jack, Holly Elle Martin as Princess Jill and Josh Handley as Tilly Trott?

It’s been fantastic meeting the Jack and the Beanstalk cast for the first time. They’re all phenomenally talented, and I’m so excited to be on stage alongside such brilliant performers.

Audiences can expect a Jack you’ll instantly fall in love with, a princess who will melt your heart, a fairy who brings real magic to the show, and our fantastic returning dame, who’s guaranteed to have you giggling throughout!

How do you find the experience interacting with a pantomime audience and seeing families getting involved?

I absolutely love pantomimes for that very reason – they bring everyone together and make you feel like you’re part of the story, which really adds to the magic. I’m super excited to interact with the audiences this year.

It’s a fantastic family day out for all ages, and it’s definitely not one to be missed!

Why would you recommend booking tickets to see Jack and the Beanstalk at The Eric Morecambe Centre, which is running until Tuesday 30th December?

Jack and the Beanstalk is a giant of a pantomime that will leave you wanting more! There’s loads of audience participation, brilliant songs, moments that will truly amaze you, and plenty of classic panto surprises. Polkadot just know how to do it – you’re guaranteed a fantastic festive experience from start to finish.

Last year, you could be seen playing Dandini in the Cinderella pantomime, how different do you think Fleshcreep will be like to play opposed to Dandini?

Last year I played Dandini in Cinderella and I absolutely loved it. it was such a fun, cheeky role with loads of energy and humour. But I’ve always secretly wanted to play a villain. There’s just something about stepping into that darker, bigger-than-life character that’s always felt like it was calling me.

So playing Fleshcreep feels like the perfect next step. It’s completely different from Dandini, instead of being the lovable sidekick, I get to command the stage, intimidate the audience a bit, and really sink my teeth into that dramatic, villainous flair. I feel like it’s meant to be, and I can’t wait to bring my own twist to the role.

Is there anything you enjoy most about pantomime season and performing live on stage?

I love pantomime because it’s so much fun to do. It can be demanding and full-on, but that’s honestly one of the things I enjoy most, it pushes you, keeps you sharp, and really helps you grow as a performer.

I’ve loved live theatre since I was about 10. I grew up with panto, with theatre, with performing, and it’s just always felt like home to me. What makes it extra special is that I’m completely self-taught. Everything I’ve learned has come from passion, practice, and being on stage, so getting to perform live every panto season feels incredibly rewarding.

We understand you have previously performed as Miss Understanding in Priscilla Queen of the Desert at Rotherham Civic Theatre, what was the musical like to work on, and can you say about some of your further theatre roles?

Yes, I played Miss Understanding with a company called Rotherham Musical Theatre Company. They were fantastic to work with – so welcoming and supportive. The role itself was amazing fun, although dancing in heels was definitely a challenge at first! I eventually got to grips with it, and it honestly made the whole experience even more rewarding.

As for other theatre roles, I’ve been performing since I was about 10. I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in shows like West Side Story, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, A Musical Medley, and High School Musical. Each production has taught me something new and helped me grow as a performer, and I just feel really grateful to have been part of so many different styles of theatre.

You are best-known for being a contestant on Series 1 of The Traitors, how did you find the experience being a Faithful on the show and filming with your fellow contestants?

I absolutely loved being an original cast member on one of the biggest and most successful shows today. The Traitors has been completely life-changing for me, all in the best ways, and I’m really grateful for the opportunity.

Being a Faithful was fun but definitely challenging at times. I’m someone who naturally trusts people until they give me a reason not to, and I wear my heart on my sleeve – what you see is what you get with me. That made the game emotional but also really meaningful.

Filming with the rest of the cast was incredible. We formed such strong bonds, and I’m still really close to most of my fellow contestants. We even have a little private WhatsApp group where we all check in on each other. It feels like a family that came out of a very intense but unforgettable experience.

What are some of your favourite memories from being part of The Traitors, and how was it having Claudia Winkleman host the show?

It’s honestly so hard to pick a single favourite memory from The Traitors because the whole experience was unforgettable. One thing that really stood out for me was the diversity of the cast. You don’t often see that on TV, and it meant a lot to be part of something that felt so inclusive, unique, and representative of so many different people.

And as for Claudia – they couldn’t have chosen a better host. She was fantastic. Off camera she spoke to us, made us laugh, and was so genuine. What touched me the most was how invested she was in the game and in us as people. During my banishment, it was really emotional, and when the cameras stopped she came up behind me, gave me a big hug, and told me everything would be okay. That meant the world. It showed just how caring she truly is behind the scenes.

How was it seeing the success and viewers’ response to the release of The Traitors in 2022?

I don’t think any of us expected the show to become as successful as it did. Especially for a brand-new series, it didn’t get much marketing at all, so none of us knew what to expect. It honestly blew up through word of mouth and a few small adverts here and there, it grew completely on its own, which made it even more exciting to watch.

Seeing the reaction from viewers in 2022 was incredible. I felt so honoured and proud to be part of something that connected with people the way it did. Being part of The Traitors from the very beginning is something I’ll always be grateful for.

What was it like being a contestant on the Blankety Blank Christmas Special?

It was honestly epic to be part of the Blankety Blank Christmas Special. I actually won the show – well, I say won… I messed up the last question and got it wrong! But it was still such a highlight of my TV career.

I’ve been performing since I was 10, but TV was always something I dreamed of doing. Getting onto Blankety Blank felt incredible, and it ended up being the start of something I didn’t even realise was beginning. After that, I filmed my first TV adverts, then appeared on the chat show Packed Lunch, and I started building my TV experience from there. Today I have appeared on GB News, BBC Morning Live, BBC Breakfast and continue to grow in the TV industry.

As a cheerleading coach, you founded and are the head coach of Mayne Allstars in Leeds, can you tell us about this side of your career?

Cheerleading has been a huge part of my life for a long time, so founding Mayne Allstars in Leeds and serving as head coach for more than seven years has genuinely been one of the most fulfilling parts of my career. I absolutely love the sport and everything it brings to people’s lives – it’s infectious, energetic, and has a way of bringing out confidence and joy in everyone who gets involved.

I started cheerleading at 17 and eventually competed internationally with my team at the time. When that team unfortunately disbanded, it actually became the spark that pushed me to start my own club. I founded Mayne Allstars shortly after and I’ve never looked back.

Coaching such fantastic athletes and helping them become the best they aspire to be is incredibly rewarding. One of the things I’m most proud of is how inclusive cheerleading is. It welcomes people of all shapes, sizes, genders, and sexualities, and it creates a space where individuals feel safe, supported, and celebrated. Being able to build that kind of environment within my own club is a huge part of why I love what I do.

What are you hoping 2026 brings for you?

In 2026, I’m hoping for even more blessings to come my way. I really want to do a lot more theatre work because performing on stage is something I truly love. My dream role is Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, so that’s definitely something I’d love to work towards.

Who knows where life will lead, but I stay grateful for every single day and try to make the most of the time I have. I’ve always lived by the motto: achieve greatness and be the best I aspire to be – and that’s exactly the energy I’m taking with me into 2026.

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