Interview: Meet The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star and fashion designer, Dorit Kemsley

Reality TV favourite Dorit Kemsley is set to jet into London to make her acting debut on stage with pal Boy George in Peter Pan at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith

Liam Rudden Media Press Release | Interview

Real Beverly Hills Housewives' star Dorit Kemsley to make stage debut as Mrs Darling and the magical Mermaid in World’s Biggest Panto’s Peter Pan at Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith

CHIC and sassy Real Housewives of Beverly Hills favourite Dorit Kemsley swaps a life lived on television for one on the stage this coming January, when she jets into London to make her acting debut in The World’s Biggest Panto production of Peter Pan, at the Eventim Apollo.

The straight-talking star of the smash hit reality series is set to feature as Mrs Darling and the magical Mermaid in the spectacular, big budget adaptation of J.M Barrie’s much-loved classic alongside a 50 plus strong cast in a show that includes a dozen cirque performers, dazzling aerial stunts, a life-size galleon and her good friend, 80’s pop star and fashion icon, Boy George.

Talking from her home in California, the stunning 47-year-old admits to being “very excited” about her forthcoming stage adventure despite having had to do a crash course on what pantomime, a peculiarly British tradition, actually is.

“I have never been to a pantomime, in fact, the first time I heard of pantomime was when I agreed to do it,” she confesses, candidly. “The tradition doesn’t exist here in the States, but I do know what to expect; I not only read up on it but being married to a Brit I got a full crash course in panto and have learned that most children in the UK grow up experiencing pantomime some point in their childhood.”

A colourful clash of slapstick, music and all the thrills of the circus, Peter Pan is packed with the usual madness and mayhem panto brings with it as well as the obligatory call outs and audience participation - Oh yes it does! - and Dorit reveals that is the thing she is most excited about.

“This is my first live theatre role so I have nerves, excitement and thrill all wrapped into one but the interacting with the audience is the part I am most looking forward to.”

Being on stage with her good friend Boy George, who plays Captain Hook, means it’s practically certain there will be mischief along the way, especially when the pair find themselves playing opposite each other, she agrees, “You can count on there being a bit of ad-libbing when George and I are on stage together, that’s pretty much how George and I role.”

Dorit’s casting was the outcome of discussions between her husband Paul, known to Real Housewives' viewers as PK, and father and son team Jon and Jordan Conway, the co-producers at World’s Biggest Panto.

She explains, “That is the genius of my beloved husband Paul Kemsley, who always looks for things that take me right out of my comfort zone. He has known Jon for some time and they were talking when Jon suggested that I might take on the role of Mrs Darling and the Mermaid. PK thought it was a great idea, especially as I’d be performing alongside the one and only Boy George. So really, it was the case that Jon approached PK. When my husband said to me, ‘It’s fantastic, you’re going to do pantomime in the UK,’ I replied, ‘Sorry! Come again!’ But now I’ve learned all about it, I’m really excited and really looking forward to it as are my kids.”

Eagle-eyed viewers may have already spotted the moment Dorit was offered the role in an episode of the top-rated series, she reveals, “We did film leading up to when I first found out. Jon and Jordan, who plays Peter Pan, came out to California and filmed with me. You can see all that on this season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, which is on air now.”

With a background in fashion design it comes as no surprise to learn that Dorit is determined  her magical Mermaid will be something very special and incredibly glamorous.

“She must be otherwise I’m going to have a real problem with it,” she laughs. “I’m going to bring a little bit of Dorit to the Mermaid, for sure, so she has to be glamorous.”

For UK fans of Real Housewives, her London appearances will all offer a chance to get up close and personal with one of the show’s most popular characters and, it seems, Dorit can’t wait to meet them too.

“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is huge in the UK,” she says, “ It’s actually shown in 155 different countries but is massive in the UK. I have more people stopping me to ask for a picture there than in many other places in the world.”

Dorit who joined the Housewives in 2016, continues “I've just come back from BravoCon and the fans loved meeting us. It’s so nice because you get to meet and mix with them and see the excitement on their faces. They are all so happy to be there, but it’s really nice for us too because it gives that chance to meet our fans up close. I’m hoping I can do that also when I’m in London because I love that aspect of it.”

And it not just Dorit fans might see in London, Dorit hopes that some of her Real Housewives’ co-stars will make it across ‘The Pond’ to witness her stage debut.

“I would imagine some of the girls will definitely come over to see the show, at least they said they will, so I’m hoping they do but it is a long trip so I wouldn’t…” she pauses, then laughs, “well, actually I would be a little sulky if they didn’t.”

Who knows, Dorit could start a whole new trend of Real Housewives in Pantoland? “They might all want to have a go, that is very true,” she beams. “Next thing you know, we may have pantomime in the States and it will become all the rage."

Right now, however, it’s London that’s pulling Dorit back and she can’t wait to return to, “Being married to a Brit, England has got a very special place in my heart. I have a lot of family there, it’s like being home. I can’t wait to go shopping and to have afternoon tea with sandwiches and scones and, of course, to see family… all the things I love doing.”      

Dorit Kemsley appears in Peter Pan, Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, 7pm Friday 5 January, 1pm and 5.30pm Saturday 6 January, 1pm, Sunday 7 January, Book Now peterpantix.com

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