Panto season opens in local theatres (From Ledbury Reporter)

Panto season opens in local theatres

10:34am Monday 7th December 2009

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CHRISTMAS officially starts at Malvern Theatres when Jack and the Beanstalk opens on Thursday, December 17, starring a television favourite for every member of the family.

Colin Baker swaps his Doctor Who mantle for Fleshcreep’s henchman outfit while Milkshake presenter Amy Thompson will leave Peppa Pig behind in the television studio, replacing her with Daisy the Cow.

Last of the Summer Wine’s Sarah Thomas will transform into Fairy while CBBC favourite Mike Fishetti will put down his Smart brushes for a few weeks to play Simple Simon.

And of course it wouldn’t be panto without a dame, so stage stalwart Douglas Mounce will don Dame Trott’s petticoats for the Christmas season.

Colin Baker said: “Malvern Theatres is one of my favourite touring destinations so I’m really looking forward to being able to spend the whole of Christmas in Malvern. Even though I know I’ll get boos and hisses instead of cheers as soon as I appear on stage, playing the bad guy is brilliantly good fun. I can’t wait to get started terrorising Jack and Daisy and the little terrors of Malvern.”

As good Fairy, Sarah Thomas will be on hand to make sure that Fleshcreep’s evil plans don’t get out of hand. She said: “Fairy is the most magical part to play in pantomime and I’m really looking froward to performing it at Malvern. For many children pantomime is their first taste of theatre so it’s a lot of responsibility to make it special for them.”

CBBC’s Mike Fischetti is similarly looking forward to getting into role, although he won’t be leaving all his art tools in the Smart studios. He said: “I’ve got a couple of art projects planned for my time in Malvern and I’m hoping that you might see the results on stage at one point or another.”

Panto first-timer Amy Thompson is looking forward to playing hero Jack and can’t wait to get back to Malvern. She said: “I had such a wonderful day switching on the Christmas lights, so I’m really looking forward to coming back to the town. Malvern is such a pretty, friendly town that I'm really pleased to be spending Christmas here.”

The show runs until January 10. Tickets are priced from £11.50-£18.50 (under 16s £5 off, special price days all seats £8.95).

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