Coleraine actor prepares for his 100th professional panto performance

Hugh will be playing Prince Charming in the theatre's production of "Sleeping Beauty" which runs from Friday, December

3 until Saturday, January 8.

Fun, frolics and laughter abound in this spectacular take on the traditional story of 'Sleeping Beauty'. Will the handsome prince waken the beautiful princess? Will the Wicked Queen's evil spell be broken?

"I'm really looking forward to the show this year, I'mreally excited about it," Hugh told the Times.

"It's lovely to have worked your way up through the chorus to play the Genie last year and now to play the Prince this year. It really feels like an achievement.

"We started rehearsing on November 15th and open on Friday so we have had about 14 days of rehearsal."

Pantomime is a very different genre from conventional theatre, with the audience positively encouraged to interact with the performers so Hugh has become well accustomed to ad libbing.

"I've done some street theatre where people have shouted things out, but not when they were meant to!" joked Hugh.

"But pantomime is wonderful the way the kids shout out at you and boo the baddie.

"I've played the Genie so have only had cheers which is nice.

"This year as the Prince I also get five songs which I'mlooking forward to - two solos and three duets with Rachel who plays Sleeping Beauty."

This is Hugh's third panto with the Millennium Forum and will be the culmination to a busy year for the Coleraine man.

During the year, Hugh has worked on no less than four films including the Universal Studios feature film "Your Highness" starring Charles Dance, James Franco, Natalie Portman, Zooey Deschanel and Danny McBride.

Hugh was assistant to the choreographer on the film and never thought he'd be teaching A-list movie stars how to dance the Farandole!

Hugh has also appeared in the BBC drama "Christopher of His Kind" alongside Matt Smith (Doctor Who).

A couple of smaller roles in "Killing Bono" and HBO's huge TV series "Game of Thrones" starring Sean Bean followed.

Leading roles in theatre productions of "The Parting", "Noose or Necklace", "The Siege" and "Finding Patrick!" were next and in the spring of next year Hugh will be putting on his tap shoes for Portrush Music Society's production of "42nd Street".

Add to this a dancing role in the Opera, A Cunning Little Vixen in the West End of London and his charity work and you will see Hugh is certainly a hard working actor. Hugh would like to thank his fiancee Tracy, the kids Jordon and Lucas and his daughter Claudia and all his family and friends for their continued support in his career.

Tickets for Sleeping Beauty are now available from the Box Office. Telephone 71 264455 or visit www.millenniumforum.co.uk for bookings.