Panto Stars Chat to Heart

23 July 2010, 09:56 | Updated: 23 July 2010, 11:16

It might be the middle of the summer but the stars of one of Kent's pantomimes this Christmas have been chatting to Heart.

Robin Hood is being staged in Canterbury.

For the second year running, the panto will take place in the Marlowe Theatre Arena as building work on the new theatre in the city continues.

Cold Feet actor John Thomson has been cast as the Sheriff of Nottingham while children's TV presenter Sid Sloane is Robin Hood.

Herne comedian Dave Lee returns for another year, while another local favourite, Phil Holden from Shatterling is Big John.

Completing the cast is Covent Garden street performer Ben Langley as Will Scarlett, and 6ft 3in actor Alan Mehdizadeh as Little John.

Click here to listen to the stars of the Robin Hood chatting to Heart

Robin Hood writer, producer and co-director Paul Hendy is delighted with the line-up. He said: “John is genuinely talented and one of our most versatile comedy actors. He has broad appeal and will be known for his work with Steve Coogan, The Fast Show (which achieved cult status), the hugely popular Cold Feet, and most recently Coronation Street.

"Children will recognise Sid from the BBC’s CBeebies channel, where he is a presenter, but he actually trained as an actor and has a musical theatre background. He is real favourite, especially with the mums!”

Paul went on: “The good thing about the pantomime Robin Hood is that it is an ensemble piece, so it has some great characters and it gives Phil, Ben and Alan the chance to have really interesting roles.”

Peter Pan was staged in the Arena at Kingsmead last year and Paul is promising some changes this time round: “We are using a brand new improved seating plan which means everyone will be closer to the action and there won’t be any sightline issues.”