In our profile series, Tell Us In Ten, we ask cast members and creatives of top London shows to tell us all about themselves in just 10 questions. From how they got their start in the industry to their favourite shows, we want to know everything.
This time we’re talking to the cast of Dick Whittington And His Catford Cat, an amazing South East London Pantomime. Fur-get everything you thought you knew about Dick Whittington! Their ‘tail’ begins with a hero and his feline friend setting sail on the Empire Windrush, whisk(er)ing away to seek their fortune on London’s streets of gold. But when they arrive in Catford, they discover the neighbourhood has a serious Cat-astrophe – Queen Rat and her rodent army are causing mayhem!
Justin Brett plays Sarah The Cook, Durone Stokes plays Dick Whittington and Lisa Davina Phillip plays Fairy Bowbells.
1. My route into theatre was…
Durone Stokes: Through attending the BRIT school and D&B Academy.
Justin Brett: Well, my first job was on the BBC’s adaptation of ‘Dombey & Son’ when I was about 10 years old. I did a few other TV things as a kid, and then had a pretty standard route in after school via the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, got and agent, and started working. My dad, Simon Oates was an actor, who was well-known in the 60’s & 70’s, mostly for a series called ‘Doomwatch’ with Robert Powell, and my late auntie Pam Valentine was a playwright and TV writer – she created sitcoms in the 80’s such as ‘You’re Only Young Twice’, and wrote on many others. I guess it’s in the ol’ genes.
Lisa Davina Phillip: Second Wave – a youth arts group (Deptford), UoN BA in Drama and then scholarship for The Academy Drama School (Whitechapel).
2. My West End idol is…
Durone Stokes: Amy Webb.
Justin Brett: Literally everyone currently working in the West End, grafting, and kicking it 8 shows a week. Like panto, it’s a tough week’s work.
Lisa Davina Phillip: The legendary Sharon D Clarke, who continues to open so many doors on stage and screen.
3. My colleagues would describe me as…
Durone Stokes: Joyful, Talented, Very Handsome.
Justin Brett: Mostly unrepeatable in print, this answer.
Lisa Davina Phillip: I dunno, ask them … no … erm, a smiley, warm team-player.
4. My favourite show (that isn’t one I star in/work on) is…
Durone Stokes: Wicked.
Justin Brett: Fun Home, and Waitress (which I was lucky enough to see on Broadway with Jessie Mueller, and her performance blew my tiny mind).
Lisa Davina Phillip: Sylvia, starring Beverley Knight and Sharon Rose. I saw it at the Old Vic but is making a brief come back (November 2025) to the Royal Albert Hall, a must see. Imaginative storytelling and inspiring music.
5. The career moment I’m most proud of is…
Durone Stokes: Funding a trip for members of Teens Unite to come and see Dreamgirls in the
West End.
Justin Brett: When we won the Olivier Award for ‘Showstopper – The Improvised Musical’. It was a proper team effort, and that’s why I’m so proud of it.
Lisa Davina Phillip: Gosh its hard to choose, I’ve been very fortunate. I’d say, playing Ms Johnston in Netflix’s 1st live action musical “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” – I’m eternally grateful to the director David Talbert for trusting and believing in me.
6. The hardest part about my job is…
Durone Stokes: Not knowing what to do with all the fun.
Justin Brett: Currently, the 4 hour commute from Brighton…
Lisa Davina Phillip: Dealing with rejection and the self doubt that hangs on the back of every “no”. I’ve learned that if I don’t successfully nail an audition, there’s usually something even more spectacular waiting in the wings.
7. If I wasn’t an actor, I would be…
Durone Stokes: A therapist.
Justin Brett: A chef. I’ve been involved in running restaurants in the past, and I am a massive lover of food. Come over – I’ll cook!
Lisa Davina Phillip: An anthropologist, studying some remote tribe in the farthest flung corners of the unknown world.
8. Something people don’t know about me is…
Durone Stokes: I was one of the Olympic Torch Bearers in London 2012.
Justin Brett: I did a comedy car clown stunt show as a character called ‘Slippery Sid’ touring the outdoor gala circuit for about 15 years.
Lisa Davina Phillip: I’m slightly deaf in 1 ear. I had a grommet as a child, it didn’t work and I refused to repeat the procedure.
9. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
Durone Stokes: Show up, be yourself and keep it simple.
Justin Brett: Actually, it’s three pieces of advice: Get on with it; get on with it; and f*&%ing get on with it!
Lisa Davina Phillip: Never read reviews, because when the critics love you, you’ll be on cloud 9, but if they hate you suddenly you’re overcome with depression. Just know you’re own worth and try to be better today, than you were yesterday (a lesson for life in general).
10. The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is…
Durone Stokes: You already have all you need to be the person you dream of being.
Justin Brett: “This, now IS the good ol’ days.” (You can tell yourself that at any time and it will still be true).
Lisa Davina Phillip: Just one? I’d probably include a few pearls of wisdom e.g. “whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right”, “Enjoy the journey not the destination” and “Leap and the net will appear”.
Join Dick and his Cat as they pounce into adventure, encounter an eccentric fairy, are helped on the way by a larger than life cook & fall head over paws in love at The Broadway in Catford from 9 December – 31 December.
