Since Friday 5th December, Mama G has been playing Dame Madeline Marzipan (for her 20th festive pantomime as a pantomime dame) in Beauty and the Beast at BEAM in Hertford, working with Divina De Campo as The Enchantress, Lucy Ireland as Belle, Nerine Skinner as Professor Pottage and Tom Brace as French Frank, and the pantomime runs until Sunday 4th January 2026. Alongside Katie Pritchard, Mama G wrote her own pantomime The Magic Bookmark, which she most recently performed at Wanstead in September and Cheltenham Festivals in October, and the pantomime has had an off-Broadway run in 2024 and an original cast album, which Mama G recorded with Katie and Julie Yammanee. For eight years so far, Mama G has toured her show Story Time with Mama G, including this year, and will continue through 2026, and she was a guest at the West End Flea Market and A Year of Pride and Joy at Edinburgh International Book Festival with Simon James Green. As an author, Mama G has released three pantomime-themed books – Oh Yes I Am!, Oh Yes It Quiz! and The Panto Song, with a new picture book due to come out in 2026, and she read Oh Yes I Am! at the CBeebies Bedtime Story tent at Gloworm Festival. In 2022, Mama G was a contestant on Britain’s Got Talent as part of Dame Nation, and reached the live Semi-Finals. We talked to Mama G about being in the cast of Beauty and the Beast at BEAM in Hertford as the pantomime dame Dame Madeline Marzipan, her own pantomime The Magic Bookmark, her show Story Time with Mama G and releasing pantomime-themed books.

Until Sunday 4th January 2026, you are performing in BEAM Hertford’s pantomime Beauty and the Beast as Dame Madeline Marzipan, what has the production been like to work on so far and what are you looking forward to for continuing in the show?

This is my 20th festive panto (I know, I don’t look nearly old enough!) and it really is my favourite time of the year! Panto is so fun to work on, especially with a group that is as passionate about the show as this cast and crew. I don’t think there’s been a moment since the first day of rehearsals that I haven’t belly-laughed. I don’t see any signs of that stopping either!

How is it performing alongside Lucy Ireland (Belle), Divina De Campo (The Enchantress), Nerine Skinner (Professor Pottage), Tom Brace (French Frank) and the rest of the cast, and have you worked with any of them previously?

I’ve never worked with any of the cast before, which is really surprising. They are all so hugely talented and at the top of their game. It’s such a joy to be on stage with them because they really make me laugh.

What is the story of Beauty and the Beast like to tell and why would you recommend booking tickets to this year’s pantomime at BEAM in Hertford?

Beauty and the Beast is a really special panto because it truly has something for everyone. There’s adventure, comedy, and just about the most romantic romance since Cinderella and Prince Charming. The kids in the audience have been getting really invested in every single moment. It’s such a joy to witness them experience everything that panto has to offer. It makes our job a bit easier too!

As a regular pantomime dame, what do you enjoy most about pantomime season?

For me, the thing that makes panto season different to performing panto the rest of the year is the knowledge that the audiences are creating traditions that will stay in their families for generations. Almost everyone has a nostalgic memory of a Christmas family outing to the panto and that’s such a special thing to be part of.

What is it like interacting with the audience as the dame and seeing families getting involved?

That’s one my favourite things about panto! As the dame you get so much leeway to adapt your performance to suit the audience, and you never know what the audience is going to throw at you. Some shows you might give a more intimate performance if you think the audience wants you to be story-based and explore the magic elements, and then sometimes you’ll be loud and freewheeling with material that will enhance the laughs.

You have your own pantomime – The Magic Bookmark, which you most recently performed at Wanstead in September and Cheltenham Festivals in October, can you tell us about the show and what was it like to write with Katie Pritchard?

Katie Pritchard is one of my favourite people in the world – and a very experienced panto performer. It was a no-brainer that we’d create a show together one day, and I’m very proud that that show is The Magic Bookmark. I’m a big advocate for reading and books being inclusive, so I’m extremely proud that a panto I created has let me spread that message to audiences across the country and at such big book festivals as Cheltenham and Hay.

How was it recording the original cast recording alongside Katie and Julie Yammanee, and how did you find the experience taking The Magic Bookmark to America for an off-Broadway run in 2024?

Julie and Katie are incomparable vocalists. I’m very lucky to have recorded an album with them – I mean, it’s truly a dream. I think I’m also lucky that they considered my message worthy of their talents. They believe in the same things that I do. I’m glad they see the value in my work too.

Taking the show to NYC was scary and exciting in equal measure. Americans weren’t sure what to make of panto (it’s a super British tradition), but they were joining in and shouting like pros by the end of the show.

Where did the inspiration come from to write The Magic Bookmark and how long had it been in the making?

A few years ago I went viral on TikTok when one of my Story Times was recorded. Lots of people compared me to a character called Miss Frizzle, who is in a cartoon called The Magic Schoolbus. She uses the bus to take kids on adventures, and I thought it would be cute to have a bookmark that could encourage kids to explore books. It took us about six months to put together and it’s been going strong ever since.

You also tour throughout the year with your show Story Time with Mama G, what is this like to do?

Story Time with Mama G is very special to me, as it means I get to take panto and inclusive storytelling to communities all over the country. A lot of whom won’t have access to this style of performance or stories. Over the eight years that I’ve been doing it, I’ve had lots of families come back time and time again, so I must be having quite a positive influence on them!

Can you tell us about some of the other events you have performed/been a guest at this year, which have included West End Flea Market and A Year of Pride and Joy at Edinburgh International Book Festival with Simon James Green?

I LOVE West End Flea Market. I’m a BIG fan of musicals and the West End in general, so it’s always fun to be the stars of the shows AND the fans. It’s always great fun – and proof that dames are a really important part of our theatrical landscape! Plus, it raises money for theatrical charities, so you can’t go wrong! The Edinburgh International Book Festival is always fun, as is the Hay Festival and Cheltenham Literature Festival, both of which I had return visits to this year!

What are some of your favourite memories from being a contestant on Britain’s Got Talent in 2022 as part of Dame Nation?

I think my tip-top favourite was Amanda Holden coming into our dressing room to check out our outfits! Also, working with our vocal coach Annabel Williams was a dream. She was looking after Sam Ryder at Eurovision that year, so getting to experience some of that with her was a big thrill!

What was it like reaching the live Semi-Finals and how was it preparing for your performances on the show?

The effort that goes into each audition for Britain’s Got Talent, from performers and crew, is incredible. We spent months planning our performance at the Semi-Finals and I’m really proud of it. I’d never experienced doing live television before, or flying on stage – so to try them both at the same time was WILD!

As an author, you have released three books – Oh Yes I Am!, Oh Yes it Quiz! and The Panto Song, can you say about each book and what have they been like to work on?

I’m very proud of all the books, especially as there’s so few children’s books about panto. Working on them has been great fun and a steep learning curve. I just can’t believe I’ve got to do it! Being an author has always been one of my dreams!

How did it feel when your first picture book Oh Yes I Am! was released last year and how was it reading it for the CBeebies Bedtime Story tent at Gloworm Festival?

It was an incredible moment – especially getting to share it on stage with such an iconic institution as CBeebies!

How did you get into performing and did you always know you wanted to be a pantomime dame?

My mum took me to pantomimes since I was very little and I always loved the dame the most. Most of my school career was spent whittling down the subjects until by the time I did my A-levels I was pretty drama-focused. Then I went to Rose Bruford College, which is a drama school. And yes, being a panto dame was always my focus!

What do you enjoy doing away from your career?

I’m very lucky that my career is something I enjoy so much, so a lot of my interests are tied up in it already. I love going to the theatre (especially pantomimes), and reading books. I also enjoy cooking, walking, playing my trumpet, and watching sitcoms!

What advice would you give someone hoping for a career in writing and performing?

Do it! Take the risk! You’ll never regret it. If it doesn’t work out at your first attempt, don’t give up. It will work out when the time is right.

You have announced that you have another book releasing next year and will also be continuing touring with your shows, can you tell us about your upcoming projects and what else are you hoping 2026 brings?

I’ll be touring the UK extensively throughout the year, but especially in February when I’ll be visiting the Tom Thumb Theatre in Margate, Leicester Comedy Festival, and Hyde Little Theatre, as well as lots of libraries. If people want to keep up to date with what I have going on, they can find me on the socials.

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