What woman hasn’t occasionally wanted to put a spell on her husband?

Julia Kempe might have her chance as the witch in the BMDS pantomime, Adventure in Pantoland.

Her husband William is the baddie and her daughter Billie-Rose, 8, is in the chorus. It’s the first time all three have ever been on stage together.

“It is great, I get to be really mean to my husband,” joked Mrs Kempe. “Obviously, it’s a very difficult acting job, because I’m not used to that. I am having to dig deep.”

It was Billie-Rose who first suggested doing the pantomime.

“I thought if she does it maybe I’ll throw my hat in the ring,” said Mr Kempe, a professional actor turned estate agent. “I thought maybe it’s something I can teach her. I have 30 years of experience in the theatre.”

While some children might balk at acting lectures, Billie-Rose welcomed his advice.

“I think it is quite helpful,” she said. “He has taught me how to really speak up and project my voice.

“He has taught me that I can’t look around all the time when I am dancing or standing still. I have to concentrate on one thing. Back stage I tell her what to do and what not to do.”

She said sometimes it could get a little intimidating, particularly when he watches during rehearsals.

Mrs Kempe was a little less sure about auditioning. She knew from doing pantomimes years ago in the United Kingdom that it would be a lot of work.

“I shouted ‘Do it! Do it’!” said Billie-Rose.

So Mrs Kempe, a dance teacher, took up the challenge, imagining herself as a gentle fairy.

“Obviously, the producers and directors had other thoughts and could see my inner witch,” she laughed.

The pantomime has helped the Kempes bond, but has presented some challenges. Since October they’ve been rehearsing weekdays and weekends.

Billie-Rose finishes rehearsals at 8pm but has to wait for her parents to finish at 9pm.

“She’s like the waif in the theatre,” said Mrs Kempe. “She lays on the floor and does her homework while we’re rehearsing.” And the Kempes have to either eat early or bring dinner with them. Sometimes dinner is soup from a flask.

Mr Kempe has been in movies such as the 1990 film Metropolitan, but the pantomime was still a challenge.

“The costume changes might be the most difficult piece of the whole pie,” he said. “I am frequently on and off with a different character and a different costume.”

It’s so complicated he made a spread sheet to map when he has to be on what side of the stage, wearing what, carrying what prop.

In the story all the traditional pantomime characters, Jack and the Beanstalk, Dick Whittington, Sleeping Beauty, live in Pantoland when they aren’t on stage. Then an evil witch casts a spell that makes them forget what pantomimes they belong in. They have to find their way back to Pantoland and save the day.

“It’s like the greatest hits of the pantomime,” said Mr Kempe.

The Kempes aren’t the only family involved.

“There is also a mother and daughter who are the front and back end of the pantomime cow,” said Mrs Kempe. “There is a father and daughter who play a genie and his daughter. There are brothers and sisters. There are a lot of family connections which is really nice.”

For Billie-Rose, the pantomime has been a great chance to make new friendships and cement old ones.

“It’s taught me the importance of being a good team player,” she said.

She loves acting but isn’t sure if she wants to do it professionally.

“I want to be either a veterinarian or an actress,” she said. “I love animals.”

Other actors include Kieran Hamilton, Lindsey Frazier, Stephen Notman, Jessii Terra, Shawn Angier, Ed Christopher and John Ross.

• The pantomime opens on Thursday at 7pm and runs until December 17 at City Hall with various evening and matinee performances. Tickets are $35 available from ptix.bm or from the box office an hour before showtime. The box office number is 292-2313.