With the pantomime season now upon us, the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre’s festive family production has everything needed to brighten the darkest time of the year - glitz, gags, super-sized characters and plenty of mayhem, all wrapped up in the fabulous fairytale story of the Sleeping Beauty.

Taking top billing in the production is former RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard, who spoke to What’s On about the challenge of playing the show’s iconic panto villain, Carabosse...

It’s December - and, as usual, that means big names, local legends and West End stars have assembled at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre to create a dream of a pantomime production. On this occasion, it’s the fairytale story of the Sleeping Beauty that’s getting a festive-season run-out.

Master impressionist Debra Stephenson dons a tiara as Queen Bertha of Bilstonia, local performer Zak Douglas appears as The Herald, and West Enders Solomon Davy and Georgia Iudica-Davies star as the Prince and Princess Beauty respectively.

Primed to throw curses at the unsuspecting princess is Danny Beard. The RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner, Britain’s Got Talent contestant, and Celebrity Big Brother housemate is taking on the role of the ever-so-evil Carabosse.

However, after a long day wearing the character’s sparkly, slinky and scandalously shoulder-padded gown - not to mention the foot-long horns - even a seasoned Drag Queen starts to suffer for the art.

“Truthfully, my back’s killing,” says Danny. “I’ve got a headache, I can’t feel my stomach, my feet are killing, my fingers are killing because my nails are about six inches long. But... I do look fabulous! I think that’s all that matters when you’re a Drag Queen. Drag is the most uncomfortable art form. Weirdly, as soon as you put all this uncomfortable material on your body, you become comfortable in your person. Is that dead deep? And then you can just have fun and be ridiculous. I mean, look at the state of me -  I’m ridiculous! To be this ridiculous, and to give people around you a good time, it feels like a superpower. I’m dead lucky that I get to make people laugh, sing songs and tell jokes for a living.”

Although much in demand in Pantoland this Christmas, Danny was drawn to the Wolverhampton Grand’s home-grown production. Boasting a brand-new set and costumes created by the venue’s in-house team, the show also features a fresh script, written once again by panto favourites Tam Ryan and Ian Adams.

“These guys just do it like nobody else,” says Danny. “And I’m not just saying that - they really do. Ian and Tam not only write it, they’re also in the show. The passion is weaved through every bit of it. The costume designers design with the set in mind, and the set designers design with the costumes in mind. It just sh*ts glitter!”

Costumes are of course central to drag identity, so it was important to make sure that Carabosse’s fabulous outfits were going to be perfect; Danny collaborated with the Grand’s production team at the beginning of the design process.

“My friends will tell you I’m a control freak. I think that's probably why I do comedy - you’re kind of controlling the audience, because you’re making them laugh. I didn’t give up control, but what I did do is say: ‘Show me what you’ve got.’ The gorgeous costume designer David said: ‘Can we have a meeting?’ We met in London, he went through the sketches, and I was so inspired. Then I brought things to it - I love Glenn Close as Cruella De Ville, so I brought all these reference images and more ‘fashion’ elements to some of the costumes. Shoulders, feathers, faux fur, playing with different body shapes.

“The character herself goes on a bit of a journey. She’s evil, she’s wicked - and I don’t know if you know the story, but she kind of turns into a dragon. It’s so panto! I wanted to get all of those references in. I love all the layers of fabrics, the textures and rhinestones against rough and smooth. [The costume designers] have certainly delivered. I don’t know how much they’ve spent on it, and I don’t want to ask, because I think it’s a lot of money. I’ve got a lot of costume changes, and I’m very, very, very excited.”

When it comes to Carabosse, who is, after all, a legendary fairytale ‘baddie’, Wolverhampton audiences might be surprised to catch a hint of her softer - or at least, more appealing - side: “She’s evil, but I think every person on this planet has a redeeming quality somewhere… You should love to hate her! A lot of people say ‘I want the kids to cry!’ I don’t want the kids to cry - I can’t cope with kids crying. I can’t cope with kids full-stop! I'm glad that I’m on the stage and they’re sat in front of me…”

Panto is home to Britain’s favourite drag tradition - the iconic Dame. Although they will be sharing the spotlight, Ian Adams’ returning classy Dame character will be very different from Danny’s interpretation of Carabosse.

“My persona is very quick witted, very catty. I like to ‘read’ the audience. And I think one thing that I’m good at is being able to insult people and still leave them liking me. So I think I’m going to slot right in, for want of a better phrase…

“If only we could say filthy words, though! I think my biggest challenge is that I’m not going to be able to say f*ck or b*gger for seven weeks… Ultimately, though, I’m a professional, so of course I won’t swear on stage!”

With a few pantos already under the belt, Danny’s sights are set on further theatrical endeavours: “I got onto my manager about six months ago and said: ‘Get me a meeting with Wicked UK, because I want to play Madame Morrible - we need a drag Madame Morrible!’ And then, about a month ago, in Brazil, they cast the first drag Madame Morrible. So it’s not impossible!

“I would have gone for Elphaba, but I just don’t think I’ve got the range. You’ve got to be a bit realistic in this world, honey. I’ve got the figure, I can fly - I’ve flown before - I’d love to play a drag Madame Morrible. And I’d like to sink my teeth into a bit more serious acting as well - so watch this space!”

For now, Danny is happy to be treading the boards in Wolverhampton, and bringing some festive fun to the theatre’s audience as the year draws to a close.

“I’m blessed - it’s my first passion, my true passion. I just love being able to stand up there. We live in such a scary world - we could go totally deep right now, but let’s keep it light. It’s a scary world, so as an actor, or a performer, or an audience member, to be able to escape that for two and a half hours - and have a nice little ice cream in the middle - it’s a joy.”

Sleeping Beauty shows at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Saturday 29 November until Sunday 4 January

By Jessica Clixby