Eastbourne actor Radley Mason, who often appears with his wife and fellow actor Holly in murder mysteries, is also a popular children’s entertainer.
This master of disguise will turn into a loveable Father Christmas at the Grove Theatre, Eastbourne from November 30th to December 22nd but first will provide kids with laughs and frights galore this Halloween as zany character Dr. FrankenSLIME in the Trick or Treat Express at the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells on October 30th and 31st.
Radley says: “I’ve always loved Halloween, so I created a fun, spooky character for children in Dr. FrankenSLIME, a mad scientist obsessed with slime. Every year, I host an immersive event on a real steam train.
“Kids arrive in costume, and I perform a show at the station before we all board the train. On board, we hand out colouring pencils and activity packs. At the next station, everyone gets off to make slime. On the return trip, I ask each child if they’d like a trick or a treat. Those who choose a treat, receive a small bag of sweets. If they choose a trick… well, you’ll have to join us to find out what happens.”
He adds: “This is the fourth year that we’ve run this event and every year we make little improvements. We give great value for money by charging only £8 per child or £38 for a family of four.”
The versatile 37-year-old Mr Mason has received great reviews from parents in previous years for playing both the dreadful Frankenslime and the kindly Santa.
Radley says: “I’m a skinny guy so I’ll be wearing an amazing costume and make-up to look like Father Christmas when I appear in Santa’s Grotto at The Grove Theatre from November 30th to December 22nd.
“There’s an interesting story to how I first became Santa a couple of years ago. The company which sent me to perform at various gigs such as a ‘turning on the lights’ ceremony asked me to go to an address in Cranleigh where they needed Father Christmas and his elf to make an appearance.
“When I arrived at the location it was just a field. A bunch of stewards in high-vis jackets waved me over. I rolled down my car window and said, ‘Santa and his elf here!’ One of the stewards joked, ‘Yeah, me too, mate.’ Confused, I asked, ‘Is there more than one Santa?’ He replied, ‘Oh, are you actually Santa!? Come through. Park over there.’
“We parked and walked toward some wagons, which were COVID testing stations. As I swabbed myself, I noticed a guy approaching who looked a lot like Tom Hardy, dressed as a farmer with wellies and a flat cap. It turned out, it really was Tom Hardy. This was his land, and I had been hired to play Santa for his kids!
“I’ve always wanted to make my own grotto and so this year I’m finally doing it. I’m a big kid really. But I take playing Santa very seriously. I’ve got my suit, got myself an elf and I’ve managed to source some really lovely gifts!”
Once again, Radley will be providing value for money. The fee for each child, including a gift, will be £14.50, while those aged under one and adults enter the grotto free.
Radley, who played the lead role in his self-directed film The Cashier, loves performing for adult audiences, too. He is appearing with wife Holly in Morlington Murder Mystery Suppers at The Grove Theatre on the evenings of September 20th (Trouble at Tinkle’s Bottom), October 25th (Hollywood Homicide), November 29th and December 13th.
A buffet-style meal of cold meats, salads, cheese and breads, followed by cake, is included in tickets for the evening shows, which start at 7.30 pm and are priced £29.50.
Morlington Murders are also bringing their murder mysteries to The Lamb Inn, Old Town, starting on Thursday, September 26th. Food includes pie and an alcoholic drink.
Radley Mason says: “We try to keep the prices down for our shows so I’m doing this more for love than money. But, who knows, perhaps I’ll be spotted by a big producer one day.”
Meanwhile, he plans to become an author as well, and has met up with myself and my wife and fellow author Heather Flood to obtain tips on writing for children.
