WHEN Jack trades his cow for a hatful of beans his mother is not best pleased. So expect him to receive a rather over-exuberant scolding in The Radlett Centre’s version of Jack and the Beanstalk, because mum will take the form of that most beloved of pantomime characters, the Dame.

Gavin Ashbarry returns to the venue for his second panto in a row (he was the Dame in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs last Christmas), to play the mother of Jack (Rob Copeland) and his lazy brother, Simple Simon (Bradley Fricker).

The 34-year-old is relishing his return in Upstage Productions’ latest offering.

“My wig fell off last year, so going from a green wig to a shaved head was a bit of a shock for the audience,” says Gavin. “Just learning to walk in heels is hard enough. That’s one of the challenges for a Dame. You have to try not to get your heels caught in your hoop.”

Gavin says a lot of the show stays true to the original fairytale, with some theatrical licence. Other characters include heroine Jill (Rachal Olivant), baddie Fleshcreep (Mark Faith), Fairy Peapod (Tarah McDonald) and Daisy the Pantomime Cow. The cast are supported by a chorus of local children who auditioned in September.

“Jack and the Beanstalk is one of the fairy stories that has not been Disneyfied yet, so many of the children in the audience won’t be as familiar with it as other shows. You have to tell the story a bit more.”

For anyone in panto, the Christmas period is not one for rest and relaxation, although the cast does get Christmas Day off. But, Gavin adds, it doesn’t feel like a chore.

“You need to have a natural exuberance to play the Dame. Some of the shows you do are at 10.30am on a Monday morning and you really have to get the audience going. Panto is the one time of year when kids can run riot in a theatre.”

He adds: “Just listening to the screams and the ‘he’s behind yous’ is great; we’re getting instant feedback.”

Jack and the Beanstalk is at The Radlett Centre, December 11-January 2. 01923 859291, www.radlettcentre.co.uk