The laughter which abounds from the two actors sitting opposite in the rehearsal studio tea space is almost as loud as they can expect to hear when the Glasgow Pavilion panto opens its doors.

Stephen Purdon and Graeme Stevely (AKA Grado) have now entered the realms of not only panto stars but are arguably two of the best dafties in the business.

Each year, panto offers audiences the opportunity to park their worries and throw themselves to be carried headlong into silliness. But a major part of the enjoyment is offered up by the likes of the Chinese Policemen in Aladdin or the Broker’s Men in Cinderella. Just as sure as a panto needs a great villain or a wicked queen, it also needs those characters whom children can immediately identify with.

Yet, the broker’s men – this year they’re known as Hammy and Tammy - need to have an innate chemistry. And it’s obvious that River City actor Purdon and Two Door’s Down’s Stevely have a real bromance going on. “We do love working together,” says Purdon. “We can go on stage and within minutes we’re finishing each other’s sentences.

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And both love panto almost as much as they love Glasgow’s football team which plays in blue. “I’m now celebrating my 20th year in panto after taking over from the fan-dabi-dozi Krankies at the Pavilion,” says Purdon, in proud voice.

“I love the process, of how at the beginning of rehearsals you are not sure how it’s all going to come together, and then on opening night – bang! It’s wonderful. And then you can go on each night and feel, well, relaxed because you know that the laughs will arrive. And the audiences are fantastic.”

Stevely, who found fame as a wrestler before landing major roles in River City and Two Doors Down concurs. “Every year it’s like coming to band camp,” he says in heartfelt voice. “Right from the get-go I’m into it, and I love the excitement that comes with opening the script, then watching what the performers do to put their own spin on things. And even this week I couldn’t wait to see what the song sheet would be.”

He laughs hard. “I’m thinking ‘This is the song we’re going to be singing around 17,000 times over the next couple of months. But it’s great. And what I really love is the buzz you get from the unexpected laugh, when you offer up something and the audience just adore it.”

Purdon and Stevely are 41 and 36 but bring a youthful energy to panto that belies age. “There is no age limit to being daft on stage,” says Purdon. “Look at how Gerard Kelly kept up the energy so incredibly over the years. He was the master. Unbelievable.”

The fact the pair are close friends off stage allows them to bring fun and added mischief to their roles. Each year – they’ve pantoed together for the past eight seasons – they have their own little competition to see who gets the biggest cheer when they walk on stage. “Last year I had to come up an excuse as to why he got the loud applause,” says Stevely, grinning in the direction of his chum. “And all I could think to say was ‘That’s because they don’t realise I’m Grado.’”

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Panto, they admit, is a demanding time. Each of the actors has two children, and in terms of arranging childcare it’s more than a challenge, particularly for their partners. But physically they appreciate the demands of two shows a day, performed at breakneck speeds while adrenaline is racing through the veins. “As much as we love it, panto can be a bit like the first day at school,” says Stevely. “You are excited at the idea of seeing all your pals again, but you know how much work there is in front of you.”

What of the contrast with television work? “It’s so different,” says Purdon. “If something doesn’t work in TV you can cut and go again. Live performance doesn’t allow for that. But I love the contrast in working styles.”

Stevely agrees. “Right now, I’m still absolutely scunnered at the cancelling of Two Doors Down. And the loss of writer Simon Carlyle is so incredibly sad. But what I also love about panto is the immediacy. You do a telly and wait months for a response. Appear on stage however and it comes right back at you immediately. . ..”

“Straight away you’re blasted with laughs,” says Purdon, finishing his pal’s sentence.

There is little doubt that theirs is a double act set to run. What’s entirely apparent is they both love dressing up in silly hats and daft costumes and hearing 1600 people laughing like drains. “And at the end of the night you feel like a rock star,” says Purdon, beaming.

Beauty and the Beastie, The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, November 28 – January 12.

Don’t Miss: Maw Goose sees writer Paul Harper-Swan follow on from last year’s Cinderella success with a new very Scottish take on the Goose tale, which sees the Demon Queen do her darndest to make Maw Goose bad. And if successful, poor Fairy Bubbles will have to leave Panto land forever.

Websters Theatre, Glasgow, November 29 – December 31.