Peter Duncan an Olivier Award-nominated actor and TV presenter and plays the role of Dame Trott in Jack and the Beanstalk at Lighthouse, Poole, this Christmas. He has spent much time in Dorset both writing and producing pantomimes with Duncan Reeves Productions, the company he heads alongside musical director Darren Reeves, and visited many times due to his links with the scouting movement.

 

Q: What would be your perfect day out in Dorset?

A: To skip along the Jurassic Coast on a warm day, rip of all my clothes and swim in the sea.

 

Q: What are your fondest memories of the county?

A: I was once the leader of a worldwide organisation. We held our centenary celebrations in 2007 on Brownsea Island where over 200 nationalities attended. We beamed our Scouting message across the world. It was awesome and welcoming.

 

Q: What has been your proudest achievement?

A: To produce, write and appear in pantomimes at Lighthouse. There are a lot of steps.

 

Q: Where do you get your inspiration from?

A: James Lovelock, he’s a sprightly 100-year-old who lives in Dorset and he thinks the earth reacts to the terrible things humans do to it. His latest book Novocene: The Coming of Hyperintelligence, (probably his last) suggests we will co-habit the earth with a race of cyborgs. I can’t wait.

 

Q: What would be your favourite thing to do when you have a day off?

A: I like to make strange sculptures. I am currently building a giant all-white model of Chernobyl at the moment it exploded.

 

Q: Where is your favourite place to eat in the county?

A: The Guildhall Tavern in Poole because it has five stars on TripAdvisor. I’ve never been but perhaps they could invite me in exchange for a Blue Peter badge.

 

Q: What three things do you associate with Dorset?

A: The ocean, Harry Redknapp and cows.

 

Q: If you could summarise the county in one word what would it be?

A: Anamorphosis.