We're all going google about dishy doc Karl

One site proclaims the dishy doc as one of TV's top five hunks, while another demands Erinsborough's one and only quack be awarded the Nobel prize for medicine.

There is even an Appreciation Site set up in his name. But then it's no secret that the Neighbours GP is something of a cult hero.

And Alan Fletcher (below), who has played Dr Karl in the enduringly popular Aussie soap for the last 11 years, is delighted.

"I haven't looked lately but I have heard that when you do a search for my character you get over a thousand hits," he said.

"I think it's wonderful - and a far cry from the day that I looked myself up and found the site "Die Karl Die".

"But I guess it's each to their own."

Mention Dr Karl now and an endless stream of housewives will swoon and students across the nation will be able to tell you in detail about his latest story line in Ramsay Street.

It is these die-hard fans, along with families from across the

county, that Alan will be impressing when he appears as Abanazar in Aladdin at Malvern Theatres from Thursday.

So why has he swapped the sunny climes of Melbourne - his home for the last 22 years - for the more murky skies of Malvern?

"This is the fourth panto I have done in Britain and I love it," he said.

"I started out as an actor on the stage 28 years ago.

"When you are filming Neighbours for 48 weeks of the year - and don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic job - to go back and do some stage work really revitalises it."

But surely, with a year like Dr Karl has had, it shouldn't need too much revitalising.

"I know that my contract runs out in September and after 11 years, I wouldn't be surprised if the programme makers said enough is enough - but my enthusiasm is more than it's ever been."

He does not deny that it is Neighbours' British fan base that has got him where he is today.

"Australians are very reserved about their local soaps whereas in Britain I think there is a certain novelty value that adds to people's enthusiasm," he said.

"Without British audiences Neighbours would not have survived."

Alan, who is renting a cottage in Colwall with his wife until the middle of January, is rehearsing for his role which he says is fabulously dark but very funny.

He is also warming up his vocal cords for a Robbie Williams number he has to perform - which should come easy as every Monday night in Melbourne he and his band, which he claims has no name, play to a packed house full of backpackers.

So, does that mean that Alan will be the next unlikely Australian soap star to try and launch themselves up the British charts?

"You never know," he said.

Watch this space!

Tickets to see Alan in Aladdin, which runs from December 16 to January 9, are available from the box office on 01684 892277 or www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

Bowman's

big day

WORLD famous counter-tenor James Bowman will star in a festive production of Handel's Messiah at Tewkesbury Abbey on Monday, December 20.

He will be joined by three other first-class soloists - soprano Emma Brain-Gabbott, tenor Benedict Linton and bass Julian Empett.

The Abbey School Choir, which consists of 16 boy choristers and 12 professional lay clerks and choral scholars, is combining forces with the recently formed Avonbrook Chamber Choir and Orchestra for the performance.

Handel's great oratorio is based upon a collection of diverse texts from the Scriptures about the Messiah: prophecies about His coming, the Nativity, His Passion, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension.

Tickets for the 7pm performance cost £12 to £20 and may be purchased from the Abbey Shop on 01684 276655.

Feast of fun

THE RED Balloon Theatre Company is celebrating panto season with a production of Beauty and the Feast at St Paul's Church, St Paul's Street, Worcester, on Tuesday

Audiences are invited on a journey to the land of Susa where treason and treachery reign.

As the King is threatened and plots are hatched, what hope is there for the beautiful young Jewess, Esther, as she steps from obscurity to become Queen?

Can her entourage save the kingdom or will evil triumph?

The fate of her people rests in her hands.

Tickets cost £3 and are available from 01905 22022.

Toning up

WORCESTER'S premiere ensemble singing group The Severn Tones will be performing alongside Tenbury Town Band tomorrow night.

The concert at the Regal Theatre Cinema in Tenbury starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets, which include a free glass of punch and a mince pie, cost £4.50 (£3.50 concessions) and are available from Elaine Edwards on 07812 038575.

Proceeds from ticket and CD sales will go towards Acorns Children's Hospice.

Our Christmas panto is a real winner

Well, I started to tell you about the pantomime in the last column, but got distracted.

Let me try again.

Cinderella at the Swan opens today.

As I am writing, there are a few days before the opening, and we are at that chaotic time when there is so much to do and it doesn't seem possible that it will all come together in time.

Every performer out there will know that feeling.

But it will come together, it always does.

And I can tell you that the pantomime at the Swan this year is going to be absolutely brilliant.

It has a wonderful cast of London professionals, who are working their socks off, and who are making it a joy to rehearse.

And under the artistic direction of the show's writer Paul Tate, it is going to be a performance to remember.

It is a traditional show, totally suitable for families.

It will have comedy, wonderful dancing (local dance school Star Stage have provided two teams of 14 dancers) great singing, and above all, a strong love story with some truly magical moments.

I really can't wait for it to open, and to start seeing the joy and fun it is going to bring audiences.

If you haven't booked, there are still tickets for most performances.

Come and have a great night of theatre, and get your Christmas off to a really enjoyable start.

Support local theatre - it is so important to keep the Swan open, strong and vibrant .

Chris Jaeger is Director of Huntingdon Arts.

Music and mince pies

WORCESTER Concert Club will be wishing its audience a very merry Christmas on Sunday at Huntingdon Hall after the Baroque concert given by Arborea Musica.

Mince pies and mulled wine will be served after the concert and the musicians will join the audience to celebrate Christmas and talk music.

The programme at Sunday's concert involves all three artists - Gerry Macdonald on flute, oboe and recorder, soprano Phillipa Hyde and Helen Rogers on the harpsichord - performing Bach's Aria from Cantata No.1 and the Benedictus from the B minor Mass, two Arias by Handel and two Cantatas by Teleman.

Helen will also be playing Air and Variations from The Harmonious Blacksmith by Handel.

Tickets for the 3pm concert cost £12.50 and are available from the box office on 01905 611427.