A Working Christmas

Although Paul Szot, the male lead in South Pacific can only be with us from December 21-31, he’s still going to be enjoying Christmas in Oxford, so we’ve managed to catch up with the famous opera singer to find out how.

Are you looking forward to spending Christmas in Oxford?

Absolutely yes! I remember the first time I spent Christmas in a cold climate and how magical it was to see real snow – I was born in Brazil and remember how one year we decorated our house with a palm tree as our official Christmas tree. It was original but it didn’t look quite right...

How will you be spending Christmas?

If I’m honest, I would rather have Christmas off than be working, but as an artist this is not always possible. One has to get used to “being” the entertainment while others are on holidays – that’s how it works. So I’ll spend a few hours on Skype with my family while they celebrate it at home, in Brazil.

But by sharing our lives eight times a week with other actors, we became very close and when we are away from our homes they become our family. It will be the first time I will spend Christmas in the UK. I’m looking forward to it.

Any Christmas messages?

My dad always said that Christmas was a retrospective time of the year and of your life.

What are you looking forward to over Christmas?

During Christmas people are very generous and emotional, and also try to take a break from their problems. This alone creates a more relaxed atmosphere in the theatre and we, on stage, do feel the audience willing to have the best time and fun.

What do you love most about Christmas?

Everything is beautiful! I get always fascinated by the tree lights on the street.... so pretty.

What’s your favourite Christmas memory from childhood?

Getting lots of presents, eating good food and singing carols.

Is it easy to do Christmas shopping when you’re on tour?

Christmas shopping is never easy! In fact I believe it is the hardest thing. I am always insecure about getting presents that people would not really like... It takes me hours to choose... besides the shops are always crowded....but that’s Christmas!

* South Pacific is on at Oxford’s New Theatre until December 31. Call the box office on 0844 871 3020

MOTHER GOOSE: With 73 performances of this year’s Mother Goose to enjoy before January 15, spare a thought for the stamina of the endlessly enthusiastic cast. Thankfully, they do get a day off between all the boos and singing, which happens to be Christmas day, so lets find out what Mother Goose Will Hawksworth and director Peter Duncan will be up to. l Will Hawksworth, 23, (Goose) Are you excited about being in Oxford over the festive period? So excited! I’ve never been in a panto before, so to be doing my first panto in Oxford is brilliant. I’m looking forward to seeing all the sites, the Christmas lights and doing my Christmas shopping! If it snows – all the better, because it will be all white and Christmassy! What are you doing on Christmas Day? Spending the day with my family in Sussex. We will have a late breakfast before opening all our presents and then a late Christmas dinner. How will you get there? My mum is going to drive me home! She’s coming to see the Christmas Eve performance and then we’ll drive back to Sussex. What do you eat on Christmas Day? Turkey, always turkey – very traditional. We have Beef Wellington on Christmas Eve, and turkey for Christmas dinner. We eat BIG meals! We always have Bucks Fizz and then eat the turkey. Then in the evening, we eat all the leftovers – we eat a lot! Any weird Christmas traditions? Yes, actually! When my mum is making the Christmas pudding, she rings my brother and I up, doesn’t matter where we are, she rings us and asks us to make a wish while she is stirring the mixture. Do you leave anything out for Father Christmas? Yes, a carrot for the reindeer, whisky or port for Father Christmas and a little note saying that we hope his journey’s been OK and that everything’s not too bonkers this year. Do you still hang your stocking up? Yes, outside my bedroom door – and miraculously, in the morning it’s full of presents! What do you want for Christmas? This year, I just want to spend time with my family – not a gift in particular. Everyone in my family has been all over the place this year so it’s going to be really nice to be together. Best Christmas present ever received? When I was seven, I was given an all-singing, all-dancing Buzz Lightyear. It was the best thing. We had all opened all the presents under the tree and my Mum said ‘Wait, there’s one more!’ and it was my Buzz Lightyear. It was amazing! I still have it…somewhere. And the worst? My dad once bought me an emergency car tool kit and I don’t drive. What would you put in Peter Duncan’s stocking? Wow, what do you get the man who’s got everything? Um, I would get him a voucher for a hang-gliding experience, bungee jumping or white water rafting. Favourite Christmas movie? Miracle on 34th Street. And the Great Debate: Christmas tree – real or artificial? Definitely real – always and forever, real. l Peter Duncan, 57, Director What are you doing for Christmas? I am going to be with my family in a little old cottage in Devon. What will you be doing for that day off? I am going to travel by hang-glider to the Pitt Rivers to seek inspiration for my next project… no, I’m kidding, I’ll be at the cottage with my family. Are you excited about being in Oxford over the festive period? Yes, I love Oxford. I like to walk around and pretend I’m a University Don. Do you leave anything for Father Christmas? No, but I make sure that all the embers in the fireplace are extinguished! Best Christmas present ever received? I think it was when I was given my guitar – I was 15. And the worst? I once got this sweater, I hated it… can’t remember why or who gave it to me – I’ve blocked it out! Best Christmas ever? It was after we had been travelling around the world for eight months and we were in the Dutch Antilles. We went scuba diving on Christmas day with all my family and we put all of our dreams and wishes into a bottle and threw it into the sea. If you had to spend Christmas on a desert island, what one Christmas thing would you take with you? I would take a machete. I figure it would be useful – I could build shelter, kill animals to eat, and protect myself. Favourite Christmas song? Relax, Enjoy Yourself by Randy Newman. It’s in the show actually! Mother Goose sings it… but I can’t tell you anything else, you’ll have to come and see for yourself! It’s a wonderful show, I’m very excited about it. * Mother Goose is on at the Oxford Playhouse until January 15. Call the box office on 01865 305305.