THE Anvil’s traditional family pantomime for 2015 is Jack and the Beanstalk.

Taking the villainous role of Fleshcreep is Mark Little, best known as Joe Mangel in the soap phenomenon Neighbours. He was a popular host of Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast and has presented numerous programmes on British television including ITV’s Wish You Were Here. He is a regular panellist on The Wright Stuff and recently appeared on Charity Mastermind. Mark’s West End theatre debut was in the one-man play Defending the Caveman which won him an Olivier Award for Best Entertainment.

Taking the title role of Jack is Mark Rhodes, best known as one half of the hugely popular duo Sam and Mark. Most recently seen on CBBC with the popular entertainment show Sam & Mark’s Big Friday Wind Up, for which the duo won their first Children’s BAFTA, Mark has come a long way since Pop Idol in 2003, where he and Sam came second and third. Other television credits include Top Of The Pops Reloaded with Fearne Cotton, the Saturday morning show TMi and quiz show Copy Cats.

The Forest Fairy is Melanie Walters, best known for her role as Stacey’s mum Gwen West in the BAFTA Award-winning series Gavin and Stacey for the BBC. Melanie has a long list of television appearances including Elliott’s mum in Hollyoaks, Being Human and Under Milk Wood.

The clown of the panto, Simple Simon, is played by Chris Pizzey, best known for being Basil’s side kick Mr Stephen in CBBC’s The Basil Brush Show. Chris has also been seen in The Legend of Dick and Dom, Planet Ajay and The Sarah Jane Adventures as well as Mini ITV’s The Sooty Show.

Chris is also directing the panto at The Anvil, which is once again produced by UK Productions.

Dame Trott is played by actor and playwright Philip Meeks, a seasoned dame with many pantomime appearances under his belt.

Jack and the Beanstalk, at The Anvil, will run from December 10 to January 3 2016.

Thursday 10 December 2015 to Sunday 3 January 2016.

Tickets are now on sale from 01256 844244 or anvilarts.org.uk.