Paul Reakes

Paul Reakes was born in Somerset in 1949. On leaving school he worked for Clarks, the shoe company. At the same time he joined a local dramatic society and over the years has appeared in a wide range of theatre. He received best amateur actor awards for the parts of Teddy Deakin in ‘The Ghost Train’ and Fagin in ‘Oliver’! His favourite role is that of Tevye in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, a part he has played four times to date. He has also directed plays, musicals and Gilbert and Sullivan. He received best production awards for his direction of ‘Rookery Nook’ and ‘The Man who came to dinner’.

In the late 1970’s he wrote the annual Christmas pantomime for The Little Theatre in Wells for five consecutive years. During that time he had several plays published including ‘Bang, you’re dead!’and ‘Mantrap’. In 1985 his first pantomime ‘Santa in Space’ was published by Samuel French. This was followed by eighteen others over the years. Recently, he had ‘Atlantis, the Panto’ and ‘Beau Jest’ published by Stagescripts Ltd. There are four more pantos in the pipeline plus a comedy thriller ‘Heads you lose’.

Having taken early retirement, Paul now has more time for his writing. He says “Some of my pantomimes may be considered unconventional with unfamiliar storylines. Titles such as ‘Santa in Space’, ‘Dick Turpin’ and ‘King Arthur’ are not recognised as traditional pantomime fare. But as a writer I like to create my own topsy-turvy world peopled by characters of my own invention. At the same time all the vital elements of traditional panto fun must be included and is expected by an audience. I enjoy writing pantomimes because the medium covers all aspects of theatre. Comedy, tragedy, romance, fantasy and mystery. It’s all there. And unlike a naturalistic play you can always use a bit of magic to get your characters (or yourself!) out of trouble”

Paul still lives in Somerset, is still married to the same girl for over forty years and is still treading the boards. In his spare time he enjoys reading, drawing and listening to music. He is also an avid collector of theatrical memorabilia and vintage crime fiction.  

Writer's Website 

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Titles We Represent

• Atlantis, the Panto (Pantomime)
• Beau Jest (Pantomime)
• Ding Dong Bell (Pantomime)
• Heads You Lose! (One Act, Comedy)
• Rumpelstiltskin (Pantomime)
• Sinbad Sails Again (Pantomime)
• Wee Willie Winkie (Pantomime)