THE festive season reminds people of many things; time with family, mulled wine at the Christmas Markets, presents under the tree and of course the seasonal pantomime.
It’s a common tradition in many households to take loved ones – particularly little ones – to pantomimes over the Christmas and New Year period, and in St Helens Mr Pantomime Lewis Devine, brings an extra touch of fairy dust to every performance.
From being a young lad appearing on Stars in Their Eyes, to becoming a popular face on the pantomime circuit – Lewis is a firm favourite with St Helens audiences.
The Southport native and dad-of-one bring slap stick fun to his performances, and is often cast as the comedic role such as Buttons in Cinderella at the Theatre Royal (for which he has earned rave reviews) in performances which bring theatre goers to tears with bursts of laughter.
He’s not only an actor, but he also shares his skills with others at the Devine Theatre Academy in Fazakerly, where his students include St Helens’ Jamie Leahey – who rose to fame on Britain’s Got Talent getting all the way to the final.
Speaking to the Star, said: “It all started with my dad really, [Terry Devine] who is still an actor and had me watching all the greats such as Cannon and Ball, Tommy Cooper and Ken Dodd.
“Ken was an inspiration too and I used to perform with him in my youth as well.
“I did casting for shows until I was 17 but I was lucky because I went to social clubs and performed there then got a name for myself – which you probably couldn’t do now – so that’s how I came to think how could I offer training and a stage to others starting out.
“The training school is about not only teaching kids how to sing and dance and act but find their unique gift – like with Jamie, it was over lockdown and he’d randomly taught himself ventriloquism.
"Now do I have that particular talent? No, but I could spot the beginnings in him and helped teach him what I know that he could lend to his talent and I’m so proud of him.
“Being able to perform in the St Helens Theatre Royal with him now is a huge buzz for me. He’s done so well and we are on the same stage.
“The thing about show business is it’s never ending, there are so many avenues into it for different personalities and Covid showed us that it’s not always a priority. But it should be.
“The arts bring so much to our lives. My step-daughter Sienna is an amazing little star already. Her talent is truly incredible, she comes to the school and it’s through her own hard work and seeing her loved ones do what they do as well, kids naturally emulate their parents and close ones.”
On the success of the Theatre Royal’s latest performance of Cinderella, where Lewis plays Button, he added: “Oh I just love having fun on the stage.
“You will never get that buzz you get performing to an audience on the stage anywhere else, you constantly improve and improve. Well you should, if the passion goes then it’s time to hang up your hat.
“It’s been great for me having my son Carter come and watch as well. He calls it Daddy’s show and I even had to have a word with the costume department as all he wanted for Christmas was his own Button’s costume from Father Christmas, so the costume girls kindly made one up for him.
“I love performing at the Theatre Royal, Chantelle and Jane always put on the best shows and I’ve been performing there on and off for five years now and it’s a great spot.
“The St Helens audiences have been giving us great feedback and that means so much. We just love making audiences smile, especially at this time of year.”
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