Hannah Jarrett-Scott sits on a stool, deep inside the bowels of Glasgow’s Tall Ship, wearing an entirely fabulous Captain Hook outfit. But it’s the thigh-length panto boots she seems captivated with.

“My first memory of theatre took place at the King’s (Glasgow) panto,” the actor recalls, “and I would have been around three or four. My mum was playing Dandini, but what I really remember is the boots she wore, and how she looked absolutely gorgeous. And I remember thinking ‘Wow!’

“So, when I went down to do the photo shoot in London for this part, and pulled on the boots for the first time, well, it was such a fantastic moment for me.”

Jarrett-Scott has been on stage, literally, since she was an embryo, given her mum Isabella Jarrett performed right through her pregnancy. Now, it’s Hannah, recognised as having a real bent for comedy, who is making headlines as the first female to play Captain Hook in one of Scotland’s major theatres.

“I feel very, very lucky to be part of the iconic King’s Theatre panto, and to play Captain Hook, who is such a great character, is amazing,” she declares.

Jarrett-Scott was endorsed by King’s panto star Elaine C Smith. “I’m 33, and more than ready to be here, but I don’t know if I would be if I didn’t have the support of women such as Elaine.”

Smith, as much as anyone, realises how restricted women once were in comedy roles in theatre, consigned to straight parts as feeds for the funny men. But over the years the likes of Dorothy Paul, Karen Dunbar and of course Smith herself (rightfully) kicked in the dressing room doors and demanded access. Now, the new generation of leading comedy actors is emerging, with the likes of Louise McCarthy, Karen Fishwick and Jarrett-Scott proving they are well deserving of the very best funny roles.

But how does Jarrett-Scott feel about the gender switch? As we know it’s long been part of panto tradition, emerging by necessity in early 19th century, an era when women covered their legs with long skirts and acting in shorts and tights was considered very risqué. 

And so, the female principal boy was born, playing the likes of Peter Pan, Jack and Aladdin. Yet, it’s only in recent times that women have been offered the big roles which have traditionally gone to men (Jennifer Saunders played Hook in the West End).

“It feels comfortable for me,” says the actor who, in recent years has played male roles in several plays.

So, how does she plan to play this delicious, frock-coated, crocodile-fearing fop, a role performed in the past by Hook greats such as Sean Scanlan and Andy Gray?

“I like to bring personality to a role I play, rather than get caught up in gender, which can be one-tracked,” she says, smiling, in contemplative voice.   “I identify as a woman, but I’m not necessarily going to be playing Hook in a feminine style. And I don’t really see Hook in gender terms anyway. So, I think I want to play up the campery, the flamboyance. And this is a characteristic which exists in men and women.”

The actor breaks into a laugh. “I love the silly narcissism we associate with him. That’s what I want to go for. But the detail will emerge during rehearsals.”

What of the traditionalists who argue Hook has to be a man? “We’ve been watching men play women on stage for years, so I don’t see why this should be any different.” She’s right. Men have played Dames using the obvious masculinity as an essential part of the gag. So why can’t a woman play Hook, in full make-up, whereby a suggested femininity can also be part of the gag.

Jarrett-Scott reveals she’ll be studying past Hooks to perhaps help with her character creation.  “But I don’t often watch characters I’m about to play. When I was appearing in Pride and Prejudice (sort of) (in which she played a range of characters) I didn’t turn to the BBC series or anything like that, I just went into it. Sometimes the research can throw you off, but I will have a look at other Hooks.”

There is a real understanding that Jarrett-Scott works incredibly hard at bringing an edge to her characters. The determination is perhaps linked to the fact she has had to battle to climb the ladder, despite having parents in the business (her father, Scottie Anderson was a stage manager and designer.) The teenage Hannah in fact applied for the RCS in Glasgow and didn’t make the cut (perhaps less a comment on her talent than the quotas of fee-paying foreign students).

The young hopeful however landed a place at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. But after graduation she faced the very worst of times. 

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“I’m glad I went down,” she says of the experience. “I learned a lot about life and surviving. I had three (survival) jobs but couldn’t get acting work and had two years of unemployment. Instead, I busked in Hampstead where I used to sing Lily Allen and Florence and the Machine songs. And some of my own stuff.”

Her mind drifts back to the days of less than quiet desperation.  “I remember Mel C would give me 50 pence, and Helena Bonham Carter would throw me the odd look. To get a wee head nod from Helena was nice.” But would you not have been happier with a fiver as well? “Yes, a tenner would have been great,” she laughs.

The experience was character forming. That’s why Jarrett-Scott could convince entirely as a police officer in a one-woman show in Oran Mor. Or indeed appear on the King’s stage. But what of this talent for comedy?

“I’ve always loved showing off and making people laugh,” she says. “And my parents are funny, and my gran.” She adds, with a wry smile. “It’s all about getting attention, of course. But there is nothing better than the joy of making someone else laugh.”

(Image: The cast of Peter Pan)

What of the future? Does she feel a great desire to continue kicking against gender expectations? “It’s a great question and I’ve thought about it a lot,” she says. “I’ve come to realise I went to drama school to learn to play lots of roles, to see what feelings I can access.” 

Jarrett-Scott pauses for a second. “I’ve just finished playing (Brian) Gunter, (in the theatre story featuring murder and 17th century witch trials) and I really loved it.” But would she also love to play Blanche Dubois?  “Oh yes,” she says, her voice switching to high octane excitement. “And if I were offered something super feminine, I’d love to do that as well because it would be super-challenging.”

Meantime, Jarrett-Scott reveals a (small) downside to landing the role of Hook. She’s a keen footballer but the panto run demands she hangs up her boots, for fear of risking injury. “I’ve already got a hook, I don’t want to lose my leg,” she says grinning, while looking down at her feet. “But I’m having to hang up my Adidas for a pair of fabulous high-heeled panto boots.”

 

Peter Pan is at The King’s Theatre, Glasgow, from November 23 – January 5.