PANTO season is just around the corner and Dick Whittington is on his way to Worcester.

The city’s recently rejuvenated Swan Theatre has launched its 2009 pantomime. This year’s show is the classic tale of Dick Whittingon, the poor boy from Gloucester who travelled to London with his cat to make his fortune in London.

The theatre, which has undergone a £500,000 refit, has brought together a stellar cast of local actors and talented schoolchildren to make the show a success.

Dashing Dick will be played by Ben Humphrey,with Richard Curnow fulfilling his dame duties as Sarah the Cook and Liz Grand as the evil Queen Rat.

Rob Leetham and Graeme Brookes are the comic pirates and Anna-Julia Grinnell is the good fairy.

The Swan panto, written by Worcester Live chief executive Chris Jaeger, is billed as good old-fashioned family fun.

The show runs from Monday, December 7, to Sunday, January 3. Tickets are on sale now priced from £9.95 to £14.95. Call the box office on 01905 611427 or visit worcesterlive.co.uk.