Have you met Periwinkle the wonderful sea sprite appearing in this year’s pantomime Rapunzel? Anwen caught up with actor Eifion Ap Cadno to find out more about the character who loves exploring the Pembrokeshire coast.  

Tell us a bit about Periwinkle and why audiences will love the magical sea sprite.

Periwinkle is a sea sprite and magical sea creature, and also the guardian of the Cleddau! Periwinkle enjoys exploring the ocean and the shores around Milford Haven, making friends with various animals and working to keep people safe out at sea. Periwinkle has known Rapunzel since she was a baby and tries to keep an eye on her and help her out where possible.

Audiences will love Periwinkle’s fabulous look, all clad in netting, seaweed, shells and coral, with enormous hair that is very blue. Periwinkle has magical powers and abilities, such as a stinging jellyfish hand, can harness the armour and strength of a crab, or the speed and agility of a fish! Periwinkle has a heart of gold but can get easily distracted, and is also mischievous and very silly.

This will be your first pantomime, are you looking forward to the experience?

Yes, very much so! I’m so glad that this is my first pantomime, as everything about it is so positive. The original script is bonkers, the cast members are so generous and supportive, everyone involved is just so talented and a joy to work with. Moving from rehearsals in the studio to the main stage and seeing all the design and technical elements come together has been so magical. I feel very privileged to be a part of such a brilliant team and production.

As for the performance, it’s a great opportunity to clown around, go big and have a lot of fun. The physical routines, song and dance are a nice challenge, at times pushing me out of my comfort zone but I’ve felt well supported along the way. I was also a bit nervous, but that is all part of the experience!

How will you get into character?

Periwinkle has a rather fantastic and elaborate appearance, to put it mildly. Getting into costume, applying all my make-up and putting on the wig (it’s not my real hair, sorry to disappoint) is definitely a big part of getting into character. The designer and wardrobe team have done such an amazing job of bringing Periwinkle to life - I find that once I’m all dolled up, most of the work has already been done! The appearance inspires a lot of the character’s physicality. Sometimes Periwinkle moves like a jellyfish, sometimes a crab, sometimes a fish, or anything sea-dwelling! So yeah, playing with this kind of movement helps me.

Describe Periwinkle in three words

Magical. Mischievous. Maritime.

Take us on a sea adventure and give us a highlight of the pantomime for you so far.

The first couple of school shows! After three weeks of rehearsals and several days of tech and finessing, you’d think we’d be ready for an audience... but the truth is, nothing can quite prepare you – it's such a different experience finally having all those children sat watching you! And they’ve not sat quietly so far, they’ve really got involved. As the sea sprite, Periwinkle, wants to be best friends with the audience and get them to help fight the mean witch Mother Gothel!

I was quite nervous in the run up to the first show, but as soon as I came off stage after my first monologue I felt the buzz and the rush – now I’ve ripped the band-aid off I can really enjoy myself.

Who are Periwinkle’s friends?

Periwinkle is friends with Zephyr, the puffin that befriends Rapunzel. In fact, Periwinkle has been keeping an eye on Rapunzel since she was a little baby, trying to help out whenever Periwinkle can. Periwinkle is also friends with Belinda Beehive, the Dame, and slowly comes around to like Prince Nathaniel, after they get off on the wrong foot...or fin!

Is Periwinkle good at dancing and singing?

Ha ha, well, let’s just say Periwinkle has got better at dancing and singing over the past few weeks. They get to sing out at sea while on a boat, as well as have a bit of a boogie at the end. Learning the songs and choreography has been a challenging but rewarding experience, and again, the cast and creative team have been so supportive.

What does Periwinkle think of Pembrokeshire and the Torch Theatre? Is Periwinkle excited to be appearing on the stage?

Periwinkle loves Pembrokeshire! The coastline is absolutely stunning, having recently visited Broad Haven and Little Haven, Druidstone, Newgale and St David’s, and Periwinkle can’t wait to explore more!

Periwinkle is thrilled to be performing at the Torch Theatre. It’s such a wonderful and welcoming venue. Periwinkle feels very privileged and grateful to be here, and loves playing on such a big and fun stage! See you all soon!

Rapunzel, the hair-raising adventure can be seen on the Torch Theatre stage from Saturday 6 December to Sunday 28 December. Relaxed Environment Performance Saturday 13 December at 2pm and BSL Interpreted Performance on Tuesday 16 December at 6pm. Ticket price: £24.50 | £20.00 Cons | £78.00 Family. For further information visit the Torch Theatre website www.torchtheatre.co.uk / phone the Box Office on (01646) 695267 or click  here.