Tiffany Graves plays Jack in this year's Wyllyotts Centre's pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk. ALEX KASRIEL chats to her during rehearsals.

If you think that Christmas pantomime is not as high brow as musical theatre, think again.

Tiffany Graves, 28, has done both and she says that panto is just as challenging.

"It's a bit of an art," she says in perfectly pronounced English.

"It's actually really quite difficult.

"There are so many rules and regulations you must carry out. For example the fairy and villain musn't cross over their sides of the stage.

"The baddie must stay stage left and the fairy is always on stage right."

The company, run by Chris Jordan, has only been rehearsing for nine days, so it's a tough period.

Tiffany is also choreographing the show and teaching the dance moves to the nine to 18-year-old children who also appear.

Tiffany is upholding the great tradition of gender-swapping by playing the show's hero, Jack.

She says the idea is left over from Shakespeare's day when all the parts were played by men.

She also says it makes sense because the mother, or dame, is always played by a man.

In this production she stars alongside Ian Marr's Dame Trott.

All this gender-bending must make it confusing for audiences, especially if someone as attractive as Tiffany is playing what is supposed to be a young lad in fishnet stockings.

To make matters worse, he ends up with Princess Jill also played by a lady.

No wonder they say panto can be appreciated on lots of different levels.

"It's such a fantastic thing because it's for children at Christmas time no matter what their religion. It's a way for all the family to spend time together.

"It entertains both adults and children."

For those who don't remember the story, here's a recap: Jack's mother asks him to sell the family cow at market because they are short of cash. On the way, Jack is offered some magic beans for the animal. Being lazy and rather nave, he'd rather take the beans than go all the way to market.

When he comes home, his mother is furious and chucks the beans out of the window in utter rage. Overnight, the beans grow in to an gigantic beanstalk in the garden, leading up to a giant's lair.

While this is not the first time she has been in a pantomime, the Fulham-based actress has a lot more experience in the West End.

Notably, Tiffany played leading lady Velma Kelly in Chicago a role played by Catherine Zeta-Jones in the film version. She joined former Wet Wet Wet singer Marti Pellow in the show who was the smooth attorney, Billy Flynn.

"It was fantastic. He was a lovely guy.

"He's got a very strong Glaswegian accent, so for the first couple days of rehearsals he had a tough time getting rid of the voice. But he was a joy to work with," she says.

Other appearances include Margie in Follies at The Royal Festival Hall and Gymnasia in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at The National Theatre.

"I have done an awful lot of musicals since I left school ten years ago." says Tiffany who learned her trade at the Arts Educational School in Chiswick.

"I have been lucky enough to always be in work. It's down to being reliable, punctual and well prepared.

"If you strive hard to do your work, you can make it.

"But you have to be realistic. I didn't come into this trade for job security."

Of course it is also down to talent, and while Tiffany has not come from a theatrical family, she does say they are very musical. And the Graves clan will all be supporting her at the show this Christmas. Her brother, parents, grandparents, aunt and uncle who only have to travel from nearby Mill Hill will all be there.

Well it is a family show.

  • Tickets to see Jack and the Beanstalk at the Wyllyotts Centre, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, range from £10 to £14.

The show runs until January 1. Call for tickets and times on 01707 645005.