Caroline Sheen is one of musical theatre’s brightest young talents.

Theatre credits include Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (West End) , Once in a Lifetime, A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum and Coram Boy (National Theatre), Eponine in Les Miserables, Jennifer Gabriel in The Witches of Eastwick, Sophie in Mama Mia and Sandy in Grease.

Caroline is delighted to be playing the part of Alice in the Barbican’s first pantomime.

My First Panto

Having a birthday in January was great when I was younger, as it meant my birthday treat most years was a trip for my friends and I to see the pantomime in Cardiff. I remember the atmosphere everywhere in the theatre being magical. It felt like Christmas had been extended for a few extra days. We were allowed lots of sweets and chocolate and we could buy special glowing wands to wave around. Once in the auditorium the fairytale would unfurl. The colours and lights and glitter were so hypnotic. The music and dancing was wondrous.  But I thought the best thing was that the characters onstage spoke to us and asked us for our help to find the Baddie, or to call on the Goodie. So not only were we being spoken to, but listened to as well. We were part of the action! For a young girl with theatrical ambitions that felt very special.

Then to top it all people in the audience got to go onstage. I still harbour a slight tinge of resentment that I was never chosen. Ever. Although once I did catch a funsize mars bar that was thrown out into the audience as a treat - I suppose that will have to do!

At the end of the night, my parents would ask me what my favourite character was. Was it the Girl dressed as the Boy? Was it the Man dressed as a Woman? Was it the Fairy Godmother? Or the Funny Man? Nope. For me the answer was always the same - it was the Girl in the prettiest dresses. No question.