THE idea of never growing up is one that may seem appealing for many people, not having a care in the world.

Peter Pan is the boy who never grew up and the much-loved story is the tale which will take centre stage at The Anvil for this year’s pantomime season.

No stranger to embodying the role of J. M. Barrie’s leading character, Jessica Punch will once again pull on the green tights and take to the London skies.

Dance teacher Punch is clearly at home in the role and told The Gazette: “This is like a holiday for me.”

She said: “Christmas for me is a bit of a holiday as I get to get away from teaching and have a bit of fun.

“At its heart pantomimes are all about having a bit of fun and letting your hair down a bit, for me personally after teaching all year round, being able to go into the role of a different character for me is a bit of escapism.

“I love playing the role of Pan because you are this child who never has to grow up, and deep down who really wants to grow up?”

Punch is no stranger to the stage, having starred in a range of West End productions including Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and being part of two UK tours of 42nd Street.

But the leading lady said, that in a role she is returning to, it is not just about telling the famous story of Peter Pan and the lost boys and their adventures in Neverland, but she has to be the anchor of the tale.

And for Punch the challenge is keeping a new audience engaged every performance.

She added: “For me I feel I have to carry a lot of the story, but that is the challenge of keeping the performances fresh for a different audience every single night.”

Performances of Peter Pan start on Thursday, 14 December with tickets ranging from £19 to £27.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit anvilarts.org.uk/peterpan.