Russel Hicken as Sarah the Cook in Sheringham Little Theatre's panto. Photo: Bill Smith

A street wise cat, man eating dame and royal rat are among the colourful characters appearing at Sheringham’s Little Theatre for its annual panto.

To send a link to this page to a friend, simply enter their email address below.

The message will include the name and email address you gave us when you signed up.

Email address

  Send link

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

And this year’s show promises to be an extra special run as the coastal venue has teamed up with London’s Lyric Theatre to stage its production of Dick Whittington. Cast and crew from the acclaimed London theatre will join home grown talent in the limelight when the show opens next Wednesday.

Among the capital cast is up and coming actor Nathan Bryon, who was asked to play Dick’s feisty feline sidekick after performing the smaller part of Scaramouche in the panto’s debut at the Lyric last year.

The 20-year-old was thrilled to take a lead role and was looking forward to entertaining north Norfolk crowds.

He said: “I love panto, it’s one of the only things where if you go into rehearsal and mess about the director can say, put that in. There’s so much playing to be had with it and everybody loves it; how can you hate panto?”

He will be joined by Russel Hicken, who will be slipping on a dress, wig and heels as flamboyant dame Sarah the Cook. Mr Hicken is making a welcome return to the Sheringham stage after delighting audiences with his performance as Widow Twanky in last year’s Aladdin.

“It’s a big show coming to Sheringham and I’m glad to be a part of it,” he said. “I absolutely loved it last year. In a place like Sheringham you get to be known and every time I went into a shop somebody would say ‘we came to see you last night’ so I’m really thrilled to be back.

“Sarah is quite similar to Twanky but she’s a bit more of a man hunter, she’s looking for a husband so all those men need to watch out!”

Theatre director Debbie Thompson said the panto’s imminent launch had been building excitement both on and off stage and hoped it would kick start more collaborative work between the two theatres.

She added: “Ticket sales are going very well because I think people are just so delighted that we’re working with the Lyric and also really building a reputation for doing good family, traditional shows, which are great fun.

“We feel really honoured and I’m really hoping we’ll be able to do a lot more work with the Lyric.”

● Dick Whittington opens on December 7 and runs until January 2. For more information or tickets call 01263 822347.