CONSULTANTS, doctors, nurses and other hospital employees will swap the hospital wards for the stage as part of the annual Hospital pantomime.

Staff from the Hampshire hospitals will once again get dressed up and let down their hair for a unique adaptation of the famous tale of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Jack and the Basingstalk will follow the famous tale, but will be given a hospital twist to it, and a big part of the performance will be raising money for charity.

And for the first year ever, the production will be accompanied by a hospitals band, which will also be made up for staff members from the hospitals.

Pantomime director Julie Jones told The Gazette: “People are really getting into the spirit of things, and with all the different shift work the performers have it can be difficult, but I truly think we’ve got a really good show on our hands.

“Everyone who has got involved is really invested in it and even the consultants who have a really busy work schedule have said they are really excited about getting on stage.”

Rehearsals have been in full swing since the beginning of September and all the staff taking part are really getting into character – especially Daisy the cow - are super excited to be performing this hilarious adaption of Jack and the Beanstalk.

All the money taken from the performances, which will take place at the Haymarket on Saturday, 13 January, will be donated to the Ark Cancer Centre Charity, the Pink Place and the North Hampshire Medical Fund.

Julie added: “This is another reason why so many people want to get involved because they know what they are doing is raising money for a range of good causes we all care about.”

For all the hospital staff taking part, it is an opportunity to let their hair down and for their patients to see them in a new light.

There will be a matinee performance at 2.30pm and an evening show at 7.30pm.

For more details and tickets visit anvilarts.org.uk.