Panto secures top stars

12:30pm Monday 28th April 2008

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A PAIR of TV stars are taking the lead roles in this year's pantomime at The Anvil in Basingstoke.

Home and Away's Ray Meagher will say "G'day" to north Hampshire when he takes on the role of the baddie Abanazar in Aladdin.

Ray, who has played Alf Stewart in the Australian TV soap since it began in 1988, will be joined by CBeebies' presenter - and former Tellytubby - Pui Fan Lee in the title role of the production, which will run from December 11 to January 4.

The Anvil has once again joined forces with UK Productions for the show.

Speaking about the increasing demands of a technology-savvy audience - who'll no doubt be keen to see Aladdin's magic carpet brought to life on stage - the company's co-director Martin Dodd said: "Pantomime can do something that film can't do - completely involve the audience in the sense that they can actually take part. We want to get bigger and better every year."

In The Haymarket, Anvil Arts has announced that Richard Williams, who directed last year's huge success The Wizard of Oz, will this year bring his vision of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol to local audiences from December 5 to January 3.

Richard is also planning to work with Anvil Arts as an artistic associate director. He'll direct another project in the autumn, as well as develop elements of the educational work planned by the company.

Christine Bradwell, chief executive of Anvil Arts, said: "Last year was the first Christmas we were responsible for both venues, and it worked very well.

"We believe that what we do at Christmas is the most important thing we do all year. We've never felt just pack them in' - we've always felt the productions we present must be of the highest quality.

"It's about getting teams together who we know will produce something that will be appealing, look good and have very high production values."

As happened last year, both shows will be sponsored by Gaz-ette Newspapers.

Editor Mark Jones said: "We're delighted to be involved with both productions. Supporting Anvil Arts very much ties in with our Basingstoke - A Place To Be Proud Of campaign. The Anvil and The Haymarket are both venues to be proud of and we are delighted to be supporting these shows, which I am sure will be popular with audiences of all ages."

There will be opportunities for talented young artists to join the casts, and auditions are set to take place in a few months.

Bookings for Aladdin and A Christmas Carol will open this Thursday, May 1.

Further information is available from the box office on 01256 844244 or the website www.anvilarts.org.uk