Simon graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London with First Class Honours in German and Drama in 2009 and a Masters in Research (Theatre) in 2010. He is currently writing his PhD thesis 'What's in a Name? The Role of Celebrity in the Modern British Pantomime Industry 1980-2010' at the University of Winchester, where he lectures in the form on the MA in Popular Performances. He also lectures in Theatre History at Royal Holloway, University of London.

As part of his undergraduate degree Simon spent a year abroad teaching English and Drama in Hamburg and now works as a Drama Coach for Stagecoach Theatre Arts every Saturday. He has had two pantomime scripts published, both of which have been performed by amateur companies and schools in England, Ireland, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, Australia and France.

He reviews books for academic journals New Theatre Quarterly and Studies in Musical Theatre and is currently helping to organise 'The Heart of the West End'; a conference to be held at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in March on the past, present and future of London's commercial West End.

In summer 2011 Simon was invited to contribute to Channel 4's documentary 'Seven Dwarves' and later that year he organised the first ever ‘Panto Day' on Twitter, with over 100 theatres getting involved to celebrate the national institution using social media. 2012 will see Simon deliver papers on pantomime and the West End and 20th century pantomime's Victorianism at conferences in London and Lancaster.

Twitter: @SimonSladen

Website: www.simonsladen.co.uk

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