Back to Buxtonia: A very royal interview

For Georgia Gallagher and Ross Clifton, returning to Buxton Opera House for this year's Sleeping Beauty is about more than donning their royal costumes once again. The real-life couple first met while appearing in pantomime in Buxton, and years later they're still delighted to be sharing the stage together at a venue that has become, in Georgia's words, "our second home".

"It is very special," she says. "The fact that we actually get to do it together is cool and to have the opportunity to revisit Sleeping Beauty now feels really special." Ross agrees, describing Buxton as somewhere filled with happy memories. "It's where we met and it's where we get to come back to and be showbizzy together and have fun on stage. It's definitely a very positive place."

Anyone who has seen the pair performing together will know their chemistry comes naturally, though it occasionally causes problems when one of them tries to make the other laugh on stage. Georgia insists she's normally quite good at keeping a straight face, but admits there have been moments when she's had to look away entirely to avoid breaking character. Ross, meanwhile, remembers one performance where an unfortunate musical moment set off a chain reaction. "I cracked, you couldn't stop giggling, then the whole cast couldn't stop giggling and then I couldn't stop giggling," he recalls. Fortunately, Georgia believes audiences rather enjoy those rare moments of chaos. "When something does go a little bit funny and the audience see you break a little bit, I feel like you can get away with that. That's part of the joy."

Away from the stage, they happily admit they're complete opposites. Ross describes Georgia as the organised one who arrives fully prepared, while he's more inclined to play the fun card and "blag it" if necessary. Georgia accepts the accusation of being the more serious half of the partnership, which prompts Ross to jokingly label himself the "chill, fun" one. It's a dynamic that clearly works both on and off stage.

Pantomime season itself is a far cry from the carefree festive experience audiences see from their seats. With four weeks of back-to-back performances, often twice a day, both rely on routines to keep themselves stage-ready. Gym sessions, vocal warm-ups and plenty of rest all play their part. Ross even claims to meditate between performances, before admitting that his meditation sessions frequently turn into naps instead.

When asked about favourite Buxton memories, the couple have no shortage of stories. One that still makes Georgia laugh happened during a previous production of Sleeping Beauty, when Ross unexpectedly swapped a traditional engagement ring for something a little more sugary.

"He actually got out a Haribo ring," she remembers. "It completely threw me off because I was like, 'What is in his hand?' Then I had to wear the Haribo ring for the rest of the number."

It's exactly the sort of spontaneous moment that has become a hallmark of their pantomime experiences. As Georgia explains, the moments that stick are rarely the ones planned in rehearsals. "Normally it's something spontaneous that wasn't planned, and then it sticks for the rest of the run because we're like, 'We've got to keep that, that was funny.'"

That spirit of fun is something both hope audiences will feel throughout this year's Sleeping Beauty. "When people can tell you're having fun, they're going to have more fun," says Georgia. "That energy's infectious." And after all these years, Ross says returning to Buxton remains one of the highlights of the festive season. "We feel very privileged and grateful to come up here again and again. It's definitely something that we look forward to."

For a couple whose story began on the Buxton stage, there's perhaps no better place to spend Christmas. And if previous years are anything to go by, audiences can expect plenty of laughs, a few surprises and, quite possibly, the odd unscripted moment!

See Georgia & Ross in Sleeping Beauty from Fri 4 Dec - Sat 2 Jan!