AUTUMN'S just settling in, but in Malvern thoughts are already turning to the festive time of year, and the panto season in particular.

Malvern’s Festival Theatre recently staged its panto launch at the theatre and in the grounds of Priory Park, and the cast attracted considerable attention from local families attending an activity session in the theatre’s atrium area, and from others just out for a stroll.

A Festival Theatre spokesman said: "All of the main cast for this year’s show, Sleeping Beauty, were there and all said they had thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many members of the public and having their photos taken with eager young children."

Chris Pizzey, who appeared at Malvern in panto three years ago, will not only be appearing as Silly Billy, he will also be directing the show.

He added: “This will be a magic pantomime for all the family and we are planning some big surprises for the audience.”

Chris, known for his appearances in television’s The Basil Brush Show, was joined at the launch by Eastenders actress, Gillian Wright, who will be playing Carabosse - the evil fairy, Amy Thompson, Rebecca Wheatley and Quinn Patrick.

For Amy Thompson it’s a welcome return to the theatre having appeared there in her first ever panto seven years ago.

One of the star’s of Channel 5’s Milkshake, she will be the Princess, Briar Rose, and says: “I thoroughly enjoyed my previous visit to the area and I’m looking forward to seeing a lot more of the hills and surrounds when time permits”.

But for Gillian Wright though it’s her first time in the Malvern Hills area.

A regular in Eastenders for around eight years until 2013, she now makes only the occasional return appearances as she concentrates more on stage work and is currently appearing in the West End in the Alan Ayckbourn play - How The Other Half Loves - with Jenny Seagrove.

Although she has appeared in quite a few panto’s in the past, she said: “I’m looking forward to this particular one. It’s a good script and we have got a good and a friendly cast.

“Panto provides quite a different and sometimes difficult acting discipline but they are such great fun”.

Quinn Patrick, beneath extremely heavy make-up and in a frothy red nurse’s outfit, in the role of the show’s dame - Nurse Nelly, said: “We’re all looking forward to opening in December although it is still quite some way off.

“We feel we have the makings of a magic panto”. Completing the main cast at the launch was Casualty’s Rebecca Wheatley who will be playing The Good Fairy.

Sleeping Beauty opens at the Festival Theatre on Thursday, December 15 and runs through to Sunday, January 8, with matinee performances on most days.

Pics courtesy of Alan Wallcroft.