Anita Dobson is best known for playing Angie Watts, the feisty landlady of the Queen Vic, in EastEnders but she’s also a panto stalwart and is returning to Richmond Theatre to star as the wicked Karabosse in Sleeping Beauty. She spoke to Will Gore ahead of opening night.

Are you looking forward to be returning to Richmond for panto?

I’m delighted to be coming back for a third time. Pantos are excruciatingly tiring but Richmond is a lovely venue, it is a wonderful show and the cast are just fantastic.

You came to the show as a late replacement for Brian Blessed – was it a tricky decision?

There had been talk of me doing another panto up north but I didn’t want to go away from home. When this one came up instead, as it was closer to where I live, I thought, why not?

Tell us about your character, Karabosse.

I’m playing the baddie again. All of the fairies are meant to give Beauty a christening gift, such as true love or happiness, but Karabosse is not invited to the celebration because of an oversight. In her fury she decides to curse the child with a curse that means Beauty will die on her 18th birthday but the Lilac Fairy manages to mute the curse so that Beauty sleeps, instead of dying.

Is the baddie the most fun role to play in a panto?

It’s the most fun and the most hard work. I’ve done it a lot and the children are great. You do it for them and I’m looking forward to the next generation of little ones in my family coming to see the show. The reaction you get from children is astounding. They are very honest and if they hate you, they really hate you.

Do you still get surprised by what people shout out?

Yes, sometimes I’m shocked. When I’ve played in some places up north some of the things the audience call out are quite shocking and they stop you in your tracks.

Did you go to pantos when you were young?

I remember my grandmother took me to Hackney Empire to see one when I was four-years-old and I was entranced. When I got home I sang all the songs and that was when my parents realised I had a leaning towards that sort of thing.

How do you feel about the fact that pantomime is often denigrated as a theatrical form?

There is an attitude in our profession that looks down on people who do panto but to me it is one of the hardest and purest forms. For many youngsters it is their first time in the theatre so if you get it right you capture them forever as a theatregoer and that is really important.

Sleeping Beauty, sponsored by Robinsons, Richmond Theatre, December 10 to January 16, 2011 visit firstfamily entertainment.co.uk