Stars of stage and screen will be treading the boards in this year's panto production at Chatham's Central Theatre.

Eastenders legend Todd Carty will join a fellow former Walford resident Matt Lapinskas when the curtain raises for the first performance of Beauty and the Beast in December.

The pair will feature alongside actress Jennie Dale, who has appeared in Cbeebies show Swashbuckle and has her own show on CBBC called Jennie's Fitness in 5.

She stars as Fairy Formidable in the production which is due to open at the town centre venue on December 9 and run through to New Year's Eve.

Lapinskas, who has also featured on ITV's Dancing on Ice, will play the Prince/Beast while Carty – best known as Mark Fowler in the long-running BBC soap and as Tucker Jenkins in Grange Hill – will play Beauty's father.

The classic fairytale promises "live music and rip-roaring adventure" with plenty of fun, magic and laughter throughout.

Playing Beauty will be Hannah Boyce, who has appeared on the West End and Netflix hit show Sex Education.

Returning to Chatham this year is Michael Neilson as Dame Dotty who will be causing chaos at the chateau with his son Potty Pierre, played by Dave Bibby.

Tickets are available now to book with the theatre offering refunds or transfers to a new date should a performance be cancelled due to Covid-19.

Call the Box Office on 01634 338 338 or at medwayticketslive.co.uk

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