Craig Revel Horwood will relish wicked queen role at Venue Cymru

Oct 29 2009

THE opinionated Craig Revel Horwood gives as good as he gets, whether dressed as a man or a woman. As a man, he’s best known as the waspish, ultra critical judge on TV’s Strictly Come Dancing series who gets his fair share of abuse for his views.

As a woman, when dressed as the Wicked Queen in Snow White this winter, he’ll be both frightening the audience and getting hissed at by fans.

But he takes the brickbats like a true pro who gives his opinions with unflinching honesty. So what can the audience expect from his star turn as the Wicked Queen?

"Simply a wicked queen, darling," he purrs down the phone. "A tall, dark, ravishing beauty! I did drag 15 years ago and since gave it up. Now I’ve decided to bring her back. The audience will get a chance to boo me. I think it’ll be great fun."

Australian born Craig, 44, is a dancer, choreographer and theatre director. He moved to London to take advantage of the greater opportunities in the UK.

But he reveals that his role in Llandudno will be his first panto.

He says: "I’ve never done one but I don’t see it as a come down from television. It’s one of the things you should have on your ‘to do’ listbefore you die.

"I’ll be playing it with respect for the character, not for laughs. I’m not a comedian like Paul O’Grady (Lily Savage)."

Craig is a pantomime character on Strictly Come Dancing, hosted by Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly.

But that role, though occasionally ridiculed, is undeniably strengthened by expertise and gravitas.

CRH may be an old sourpuss but he does seem to know what he’s talking about with his eloquent put-downs, even if he is pedantic to the ‘nth’ degree. Strewth, getting points out of Craig is harder than squeezing a glass slipper onto Cinderella’s Ugly Sisters’ feet!

Take the Strictly episode, for example, when he criticised hapless EastEnder actor Ricky Groves, who plays mechanic Garry Hobbs, for having hands ‘like ice cream scoops’ during one routine.

"He was doing the paso doble and his hands WERE like ice cream scoops. That’s not a put down. He needs his hands shaping more eloquently."

But what if people don’t appreciate such comments, Craig?

"I couldn’t care less what people think. I’m being honest."

On this subject, then, what does Craig think of the replacement of Arlene Phillips, 66, with Alesha Dixon, now 31, on Strictly Come Dancing?

"They are two completely different people from completely different backgrounds, the same as Bruno (Tonioli), Len (Goodman) and me," declares her fellow judge.

"That backlash was uncalled for quite frankly. Alesha has studied all ten disciplines of ballroom and Latin and won the series. She is not a novice and she has every right to be there."

For its part, a BBC spokeswoman said age was nothing to do with the decision to replace Arlene with Alesha. The BBC, said the insider, ‘has been striving to ensure it (Strictly) stays fresh and relevant for existing viewers and newcomers.’

Whatever, Craig will put all that behind him in December.

He genuinely seems to like Llandudno: "I did a Danny La Rue show there so I have a soft spot for Llandudno. The promenade is gorgeous and I love the fact there are views of mountains and hills.

"I’ve never been there in the winter. Every time it’s been absolutely beautiful weather. It will be lovely to rug up and be by a warm fire.

"Although getting up for 10.30am shows will be a bit hard. We’re doing two shows a day which is quite a gruelling schedule."

Craig stars with UK Eurovision finalist Mark Evans, from Pentre Llanrhaeadr as The Prince and local girl Gemma James as Snow White.

And Craig added: "It’s a wonderfully talented cast. The show will be a fabulous and magical Christmas treat."

*Craig Revel Horwood, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Venue Cymru, Llandudno December 14, 2009-January 3, 2010. Performances at times between 10.30am and 7.15pm. Ring 01492 872000 to buy £12.50-£16.50 tickets.