Wiltshire


<p>He’s starred in <em>Shrek the Musical</em> and West Side Story, and now Scotty Armstrong is charging headlong into a season of panto mayhem. He’ll be taking to the stage as Nanny Fanny Adams in the classic, <em><a href="https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/events/sleeping-beauty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sleeping Beauty</a></em>, at Salisbury Playhouse from 30<sup>th</sup> Nov until 12<sup>th</sup> Jan. Here he talks custard pies, costumes and dishing out head massages&#8230;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-Ash-Mills-5.jpg" alt="Scotty Armstrong " class="wp-image-34981" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-Ash-Mills-5.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-Ash-Mills-5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-Ash-Mills-5-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Ash Mills</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-you-re-playing-nanny-fanny-adams-can-you-tell-us-a-bit-about-her"><strong>So, you’re playing Nanny Fanny Adams – can you tell us a bit about her?</strong></h2>



<p>Imagine a cross between Mrs. Doubtfire, Mary Poppins and Dame Maggie Smith. Add in a bit of Barbara Windsor, then merge them all together! &nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-this-your-first-panto"><strong>Is this your first panto?</strong></h2>



<p>This isn’t my first panto, but it’s my first time as dame, so I’m very excited. Bizarrely, I&#8217;ve never been asked to audition for the dame before, but I had a significant birthday last year and, all of a sudden, I had loads of requests.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-Ash-Mills-2.jpg" alt="Scotty Armstrong" class="wp-image-34977" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-Ash-Mills-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-Ash-Mills-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-Ash-Mills-2-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Ash Mills</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-are-rehearsals-treating-you-so-far"><strong>How are rehearsals treating you so far?</strong></h2>



<p>We’re having great fun, we all get on brilliantly and we’ve been out in Salisbury after rehearsals. We went to the Old Ale &amp; Coffee House, and we had amazing pizza at Nole. Everyone in the <em>Sleeping Beauty</em> cast is fantastic, but when I first heard Lottie [Mae O’Kill, Princess Stella], sing I was like, ‘<em>Oh wow</em>.’ I knew she’d be good, but her voice is stunning.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-Ash-Mills-boots.jpg" alt="Scotty Armstrong" class="wp-image-34975" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-Ash-Mills-boots.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-Ash-Mills-boots-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-Ash-Mills-boots-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-Ash-Mills-boots-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-Ash-Mills-boots-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Ash Mills</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-are-your-costumes-looking"><strong>How are your costumes looking?</strong></h2>



<p>I’ve got five, and they’re all sensational. They’re very outlandish and inspired by some of our favourite nannies, including Mary Poppins. My skirts are massive, and I’ve been rehearsing in my purple panto boots, which I just love. They’re calf-height, with a two-inch heel – think Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins. I’m 6ft3, so by the time I pop those on I’m 6ft5. Add my wig on top, and I’m nearly 7ft – it’s great visual comedy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-we-expect-some-good-old-slapstick-any-custard-pies-flying-about"><strong>Can we expect some</strong> <strong>good old slapstick – any custard pies flying about?</strong></h2>



<p>Definitely, we’ve got all your classics, including plenty of custard. In fact, there’s an entire ‘splosh’ number that everyone will love. Of course, there are fabulous costumes and great songs too.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-As-Little-Buttercup-in-Sasha-Regans-All-Male-HMS-Pinafore-Photo-Credit-Mark-Senior-1.jpg" alt="Scotty Armstrong" class="wp-image-34980" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-As-Little-Buttercup-in-Sasha-Regans-All-Male-HMS-Pinafore-Photo-Credit-Mark-Senior-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-As-Little-Buttercup-in-Sasha-Regans-All-Male-HMS-Pinafore-Photo-Credit-Mark-Senior-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-As-Little-Buttercup-in-Sasha-Regans-All-Male-HMS-Pinafore-Photo-Credit-Mark-Senior-1-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scotty Armstrong as Little Buttercup in Sasha Regan&#8217;s all male HMS Pinafore. Photo: Mark Senior</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-have-you-ever-had-any-clangers-on-stage"><strong>Have you ever had any clangers on stage?</strong></h2>



<p>When I did <em>Spamalot</em> in Germany, there was a scene where we had to repeatedly jump up onto stools. Mine tipped over, rolled away and I face-planted on the stage. I was only down there for a second, but it felt like three hours. Thankfully I was playing Sir Lancelot and wearing loads of armour, so I wasn’t hurt. Another time I was in the ensemble for <em>White Christmas</em> and my trousers ripped at the back, right in the middle of a dance routine.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-you-have-a-pre-show-routine-to-get-you-in-the-zone"><strong>Do you have a pre-show routine, to get you in the zone?</strong></h2>



<p>I like chilling out, so I take a few mindful moments to help me feel focused. I’ll get my face on, then spend time listening to a podcast and knitting. I’ve been knitting for 15 years, mostly scarves, jumpers and hats. I’m making my first pair of socks at the moment, but I’ve realised they’ll be too small for me so I’m giving them to Joseph [Peacock], who plays Mike the Magnificent.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-as-Shrek-with-his-fellow-1st-cover-Imogen-Bailey-as-Princess-Fiona.jpg" alt="Scotty Armstrong" class="wp-image-34979" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-as-Shrek-with-his-fellow-1st-cover-Imogen-Bailey-as-Princess-Fiona.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-as-Shrek-with-his-fellow-1st-cover-Imogen-Bailey-as-Princess-Fiona-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Scotty-Armstrong-as-Shrek-with-his-fellow-1st-cover-Imogen-Bailey-as-Princess-Fiona-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scotty as Shrek with his fellow 1st cover Imogen Bailey as Princess Fiona</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-recently-starred-in-shrek-the-musical-was-it-a-blast-nbsp"><strong>You recently starred in Shrek the Musical, was it a blast? &nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>It was crazy fun, from beginning to end. The run ended up being a lot longer than we’d anticipated, and we finished at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith this summer. I played the Big Bad Wolf, and I covered Shrek for six shows.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-talk-us-through-your-shrek-costume"><strong>Talk us through your Shrek costume&#8230;</strong></h2>



<p>It&#8217;s full facial prosthetics, which take about 90 minutes each time. You’re covered from the neck upwards and if it’s a double show day, it doesn’t come off in between. Padding is used to fill out your body, but that means you sweat a lot, so you need to keep topping up with fluids and electrolytes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-little-birdie-tell-us-you-re-a-fully-trained-massage-therapist-as-well-as-an-actor"><strong>A little birdie tell us you’re a fully trained massage therapist as well as an actor&#8230;</strong></h2>



<p>Yes! I do therapeutic massage and deep tissue. I set up my business after lockdown, and now I mostly do it for friends and family. I just love it, and I&#8217;ve already had people in the cast calling upon my services. I often help castmates before a show &#8211; it’s easy to get stressed out in this job and people don’t realise how much tension you hold in your scalp. A wee head massage can really chill you out.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-your-favourite-thing-about-doing-panto"><strong>What&#8217;s your favourite thing about doing panto?</strong></h2>



<p>I love the madness of it, and that it’s such a big tradition. For many youngsters it’s their first experience of theatre, and seeing the look on the children’s faces is just incredible. The audience interaction is great too, especially as the dame – you get to mingle with them and have a chat and a joke. It’s very rewarding, and impossible not to enjoy.</p>



<p><em>Catch Scotty in <a href="https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/events/sleeping-beauty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sleeping Beauty </a>at Salisbury Playhouse, 30<sup>th</sup> Nov to 12 Jan 2024. Tickets available to buy <a href="https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/events/sleeping-beauty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</em></p>


Muddy meets panto dame Scotty Armstrong

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