FAYE Tozer is looking forward to scaring the wits out of children this Christmas.

As the Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, opening at the Alhambra tomorrow, she’ll soon be used to the sound of boos. And she knows too well the effect a panto villain can have on younger theatre-goers. “When my son Benjamin was little I was in Aladdin. He was scared of Abanazar so I took him to meet the actor playing him, he saw him without make-up which helped him see that it was make-believe,” she says. “I think children quite enjoy being scared at the panto - even when you’re a nasty baddie, it’s with a sense of fun.”

Adds Faye: “My first panto was Cinderella with Davy Jones from the Monkees. I used to play the Princess roles; smiley and glamorous. Now I’m the baddie - and it’s much more fun! The Wicked Queen is something to get my teeth into.”

The Alhambra panto cast has had just two weeks of rehearsals ahead of the curtain rising on opening night. “It’s pretty hardcore,” says Steps star Faye, taking a break from learning her lines. “We work hard but it’s great fun.”

Starring alongside Bradford’s favourite funnyman Billy Pearce, and Paul Chuckle, Faye won’t be short of laughs this panto season. “I met Billy at press day and was blown over by his energy,” says Faye. “He’s a bit mischievous and I’m pretty sure he’ll be going off script now and then...but that’s panto. Audiences expect some goofing around.”

Panto is often children’s first experience of theatre. Is there a responsibility to make it memorable? “Oh yes, you want them to love it. Then hopefully they’ll come back to live theatre,” says Faye. “There’s a lovely freedom that children enjoy in theatre. And panto is so interactive, they don’t have to sit on their hands. I love seeing them shouting out, getting involved. This is a great show for teens too, it’s so fast-paced.”

The Alhambra panto is the biggest in Yorkshire, with eye-wateringly dazzling special effects that are more spectacular each year. From a flying motorbike to a giant gorilla, and 3D journeys that have audiences shrieking, technical wizardry gives the pantos 21st century flourish, while maintaining the traditional elements that continue to delight audiences.

“With Qdos you get bells and whistles, it’s a real quality show and I’ve got some great technical fun coming up. But there’s also the lovely silliness that panto wouldn’t be complete without,” says Faye.

Growing up in Bedfordshire, she started out as a singer and was resident vocalist at London’s Park Lane Hilton Hotel when, in 1997, Faye became one fifth of pop sensation Steps. Formed as a band you could dance along to - the steps to their videos were included in their single sleeves - they released eight albums and 17 singles, won a Brit and toured with Britney Spears. When H and Claire departed, the group disbanded in 2001 and a decade later they re-formed, after a TV documentary brought them back together.”We’ll be announcing some big Steps news next year,” says Faye. “We’re so grateful that people still want us.At this time of our lives and careers, to be doing arena tours is amazing. We always said we wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t the five of us. We’re getting on better than we ever did.”

As well as her pop career, Faye is no stranger to musical theatre, having starred in shows such as Tell Me On a Sunday, Me and My Girl and Singin’ in the Rain. Last year she made the final of Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with pro dancer Giovanni Pernice. Will Alhambra audiences be treated to some Strictly moves? “Well, maybe a bit of Strictly and Steps shoe-horned in,” she smiles. “We’ve still got our 2018 Strictly Whats App group, and I went to see the live show last weekend. Strictly was a joy, I wouldn’t have swapped it for the world, but now I enjoy watching it from my sofa.”

* Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is at the Alhambra until January 26. Call (01274) 432000.