Bond girl Britt Ekland to perform in Portsmouth panto this Christmas

A cafe in Albert Road has provided a vital ingredient for the Kings Theatre panto this year, says AboutMyArea.

The Magick Bean Cafe has handed over their own beans to Britt Ekland who is playing Fairy Pea Pod in Jack and the Beanstalk this Christmas. She was accompanied by Dame Tilly Trott who is played by local celebrity, Richard Stride, and Radio Solent presenter Nick Girdler who is playing King Willy.

The ex-James Bond beauty is not a a stranger to Portsmouth having visited here with her husband Peter Sellers who was born in Southsea. She also visited Portsmouth earlier in the year, as patron of the Alzheimers society to launch the Great South Run, taking place next week. Accompanied by her chihuahua dog, Tequila who will be performing on stage with her, she is looking forward to walking him in Southsea. Ms Ekland said, "I come from Stockholm so I love the sea. I like power walking so will be finding a nice walk along the seafront."

Richard Stride will be taking time away from the Groundlings Theatre and his own production of Christmas Carole. This is his third panto, last year he played a dame at the Grand Opera House in York. Richard is looking forward to working in Portsmouth this year and said, "It's my first panto at the Kings and it will be nice not to have to pack. It's lovely to do something like this in my home town. It will be like performing to friends."

The panto also stars Steven Arnold who is leaving his role as Ashley Peacock in Coronation Street. Lynne McGrannger from Home and Away stars as The Witch.

The panto will be running at the Kings theatre from the 8th December until the 2nd January. For tickets, telephone 023 92 828282 or go to www.kings-southsea.com.

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