Josh Haberfield in Lighthouse Poole’s panto Sleeping Beauty

If, as it’s said, success comes to those who are too busy to look for it, then it’s only a matter of time before we see the name of Josh Haberfield up in lights in London’s West End.

In December he will be treading the boards in Lighthouse Poole’s annual family pantomime Sleeping Beauty, playing the comic Happy Harry to writer-director Chris Jarvis as Dame Nanny Nutkins and EastEnders/Grange Hill star Todd Carty as King Tucker. The Christmas gig comes after a mammoth 37-week tour with the award-winning Edinburgh Fringe hit, The Importance of Being… Earnest?

Only a year ago Josh was racing towards the end of an even longer tour, playing drummer Jerry Allison in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, before heading to Poole to meet up with the cast and company of Aladdin, another family-friendly pantomime written and directed by CBeebies favourite Chris Jarvis. Josh was such a big hit as Wishee-Washee that an instant return was always on the cards. 

Josh (right) as the drummer Jerry Allison in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. (Image: Supplied) ‘It’s going to be an absolute blast,’ he declares, revealing that Happy Harry and his mum Dame Nanny Nutkins are charged with looking after Princess Rose in their cottage on Brownsea Island, in this delightful Dorset-inspired version of the fairytale.

‘You can expect all the usual panto shenanigans from Happy Harry – he’s the audience’s best friend and the kids’ best friend. But then he’s full of double entendre, although in quite a sophisticated way.’ There’s also great physical comedy, including a classic slosh scene. ‘Chris has written the part for me, which is lovely, as I play the panto comic in a different way to maybe how it’s often played, as a fool. For Chris to go: “Actually, I believe in what you want to bring to this”, and to be encouraged like that, is a real treat.’

Although last year was his first panto in Poole, Josh has played Lighthouse several times in recent years in what is effectively a hometown show for him. He grew up near Christchurch with his parents Tony and Sarah, and cut his theatrical teeth in the area’s am-drams before gaining a BTEC qualification at Poole College’s Jellicoe Theatre. This paved the way to Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts where he studied musical theatre.

Josh playing the role of director Simon Slough in ...Earnest?. (Image: Supplied by sayitagainsorry.com) He’s back at Lighthouse in February 2025 in …Earnest? an upscaled version of the smash hit Fringe show. Moments before the curtain goes up it is revealed the lead actor has gone missing and the company must cast someone from the audience with genuinely hilarious consequences.

‘It’s just a joy of a show,’ says Josh, who plays hapless director Simon Slough. ‘A blend of stand-up comedy and theatre.’ As the show unfolds more and more things go wrong. Other members of the cast drop out, so the audience are called up to play more roles.

‘It’s completely unique, no two shows are ever the same,’ says Josh. ‘As far as we know no-one has been brave – or stupid – enough to invite random audience members up on stage and get them to improvise.

‘What’s been lovely about touring with ...Earnest? is seeing how willing humans are to help each other out, night after night. Everything we see in the news doesn’t exactly instill faith in humans. But what this has done is show me that when something goes wrong – the play must finish, and we need help to put it on – people are willing to have a go. So, not only is this show a comedy, it’s also just the most wholesome thing.’

Josh learnt how to play the drums at secondary school. (Image: Supplied by Josh Haberfield) As much as Josh loves acting his first paid performances were as a drummer. ‘I always loved the drums; I had lessons throughout secondary school. I got a Saturday job as a teenager working in a drum shop in Boscombe, which sadly isn't there anymore, called Classic Drums. As the course at the Jellicoe was only three days a week, the rest of the time I was working at the drum shop and picking up gigs playing with function and originals bands.’ 

When he went to drama school, Josh put down his drumsticks to focus on the course, but it was a skill that helped home once he graduated. ‘One of my first auditions was for a character who could also play drums. In fact, I'd say that for a while about 80 per cent of my work was because I also play the drums. It's led to quite a little niche career.’

Josh on his board. (Image: joshthesupguide.uk) As well as playing in various bands, including vintage rockers The Runaround Kids, and backing British guitar legend Albert Lee amongst others, Josh featured as a series lead in the Channel 5 children’s show Mimi’s World. He has a string of touring and teaching credits to his name, as well as playing the comic in panto every Christmas for the last ten years. Shortly before joining the cast of Sleeping Beauty, Josh was backing Jay Osmond (of 70s ‘bubblegum pop’ juggernaut The Osmonds) on tour.

‘Jay was the drummer for The Osmonds, so there was some pressure there,’ says Josh, who admits he wasn’t that familiar with their back catalogue. ‘I could picture the jump suits and haircuts, but the songs… do you know Crazy Horses? My goodness, it’s wild.

‘Producers want you to do everything nowadays, so as an actor you need to fill your arsenal with as many skills as possible. If they need me to learn to stilt walk, I'm there!’

Josh on his paddle board. (Image: joshthesupguide.uk) It comes as no surprise to discover that Josh treats his free time with as much gusto as his professional life. A keen paddleboarder and surfer, during the Covid lockdowns, whilst theatre and film sets were closed, water sports became his living. It still provides a tidy little side hustle when he’s in the county. Josh trained at Easy Riders in Poole Harbour and worked freelance as an instructor there for a while, before starting his own business as Josh The SUP Guide (joshthesupguide.uk). 

‘I always take a board on tour with me,’ he grins. ‘And, yes, I absolutely will be getting out on the board in Poole Harbour over panto season! I managed to get some in last year although the weather was a bit rough. If there’s a calm, crisp morning, then I’ll be out on the water. It’s a chance for me to reset, relax and reconnect which, as a performer working at a high-octane rate, is good for both body and mind.’

Josh Haberfield as Happy Harry in Sleeping beauty, Lighthouse Poole's panto which is set on Brownsea Island. (Image: Richard Budd) And that spare time is becoming ever more precious as, even with Sleeping Beauty and next year’s tour of …Earnest? on his mind, Josh is already considering what’s next.

‘I’m one of the directors for Say It Again, Sorry which is the company that created …Earnest? It’s a project amongst all my favourite people in the entire world. All we wanted to do was to get into the room and start creating something. Here we are five years later with the thing just snowballing.’ They are currently in talks about an American tour and there’s even a possibility of West End transfers. ‘Until I’m stepping out on the first night on that stage I don’t believe a word of it, but the fact those conversations are even happening – it’s both exciting and scary at the same time. The more the thing grows the more we can’t quite believe it.’ ENDS

Sleeping Beauty opens on December 12 and runs until January 5. …Earnest? runs from February 27 until March 1. Tickets for both are on sale at lighthousepoole.co.uk or call 01202 280000.