Actor Sandy Batchelor is looking forward to taking the lead role in Perth Theatre panto

Nov 11 2011 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

DISTURB young actor Sandy Batchelor at your peril next week!

The talented thespian is off to re-charge his batteries and get in fine fettle to scale that giant beanstalk in this year’s traditional family pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, at Perth Theatre.

Sandy will play Jack, the well-meaning lad who oh so wants to please his poor widowed mother but somehow always gets it wrong – until he sows those magic beans!

“I hear it’s going to be very physical, which will be fine and I’m really looking forward to it,” said the ex-Kinross High School pupil whose home is in Kinross-shire.

The 25-year-old is first looking forward to his week’s holiday before Jack and the Beanstalk rehearsals get under way, although there will be a bit of partying before he puts his feet up next week.

Tomorrow night Sandy hangs up the Sergeant Major’s uniform he’s been wearing for his role in Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s smash hit ‘Whisky Galore – A Musical!’. He’s played other parts too in this fast-moving production in which the actors speak, sing, dance and play musical instruments.

And before Whisky Galore, Sandy was on stage in four of Pitlochry Theatre’s six 2011 Summer Season productions from mid-May to mid-October.

“It’s been fantastic up at Pitlochry and I’ve had some brilliant parts, but it’s been demanding so I’m really looking forward to a holiday next week,” he declared.

Sandy’s talent and versatility have been in demand at Pitlochry for the past three seasons: “I’m extremely lucky and very grateful to the people who have employed me. In the current financial climate any actor who can find regular work is very fortunate.”

Sandy explained how he was offered the part of Jack this panto season.

“I went to Fife Children’s Theatre in Lochgelly when I was about 12 where Andrew Panton (director of Jack and the Beanstalk) worked with us, then when I was doing a two year music theatre course at Knightswood he was on the panel for the end-of-year awards.”

(Sandy was too modest to mention this, but he won the ‘best actor’ award).

From Knightswood in Glasgow, Sandy went on to study at Bristol’s Old Vic Theatre School then, about four years ago, with Andrew’s help, got an audition for the Wizard of Oz at The Citizen’s in Glasgow and secured the role of Scarecrow.

“Earlier this year Andrew gave me a call asking if I’d be interested in doing Jack and the Beanstalk in Perth Theatre.

“I didn’t hesitate in saying ‘yes’ – it’s an absolute dream to play the main role in front of a home crowd.

“And Andrew is a splendid director who has worked on some brilliant shows (including Yellow on the Broom at Perth Theatre in 2004). He’s very musical and a fantastic choreographer.

“There’s also a really good team behind Jack and the Beanstalk so Perth Theatre will be an exciting place to work.

“I’m just a kid at heart who is going to have great fun climbing up and down that beanstalk and interacting with the youngsters in the audience, who I’m sure will keep me on my toes!”

Sandy and co will be doing battle against the Fe Fi Fo Fum Giant at Perth Theatre from December 9 until January 7.