Wyvern Theatre's JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Visits Roves Farm

Swindon's number one entertainment venue is thrilled to present the GIANT of all pantomimes this Christmas. Keith Chegwin and the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk met at Roves Farm, on Wednesday 17 July, to launch the Wyvern Theatre's hilarious and spectacular festive show for all the family.

"Roves Farm is one of Swindon's top family attractions - our traditional annual pantomime is another. Therefore I am delighted that we are bringing these two fine institutions together," said Derek Aldridge, Theatre Director. "It was an absolute thrill to see Daisy the Cow (not to mention Cheggers) meet the animals at Roves!"

Jack and the Beanstalk is the most agricultural of all the pantomimes. Set on a farm, the pantomime tells the story of Jack (Samuel Parker) who has to sell his cow Daisy in order for his mother Dame Trot (David Ashley) to make ends meet. Jack exchanges Daisy for magic beans - magic beans which, with the help of a Fairy (Jennifer Greenwood), grows to become the biggest beanstalk in all the land... and at the top of it is one GIANT surprise!

"This year's pantomime will be the Wyvern's biggest pantomime yet!" said producer Daryl Back. "I'm thrilled to be working with Keith Chegwin and David Ashley once more - I can guarantee GIANT laughs when they take to the stage this year as mother and son!"

Keith Chegwin is one of the UK's most popular TV personalities and in this, his 46th year in show-business, he shall return to the Wyvern Theatre as Silly Billy. Recently audiences will have seen him on Dancing on Ice, the comedy series Extras and a one hour special of Life's Too Short written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant for Keith Chegwin, Les Dennis and Shaun Williamson. To date Keith has presented over 4,000 net-work live television programmes and recorded more than 3,000.

David Ashley is another Wyvern Theatre pantomime veteran, with audiences having previously seen him as Abanazar in Aladdin (2012-2013) and one of the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella (2011-2012). This year, Swindon theatre-goers can look forward to seeing him as Dame Trot. David's extensive theatre credits include Merrily We Roll Along (Derby Playhouse); Blood Brothers (Phoenix Theatre); Les Miserables (Palace Theatre); Cats (New London); Crazy for You (UK Tour); Cats (UK Tour); Starlight Express (Apollo Victoria); Victoria Woods' Talent (Players Theatre); Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Leicester Haymarket); My Fair Lady (Theatre Royal, Plymouth); Me and My Girl (Adelphi Theatre) and Ziegfeld (London Palladium), to name but a few.

The title role of Jack will be played by Samuel Parker, who recently graduated from the Arts Educational Schools, London. His theatre Credits include Peter Pan in Peter Pan (The Beck Theatre); Buddy in Steel Pier (The Union Theatre); Ensemble in Back To Reality (Perfect Pitch, Workshop); Dancer/Understudy Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty (The Beck Theatre) and Ensemble in Christmas in New York (The Prince of Wales).

Jennifer Greenwood trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and will be making her pantomime debut at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, as The Fairy. Her theatre credits include Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Stafford Festival Shakespeare), The Night Queen in The Night Queen (Belgrade Theatre, Coventry), Greta Bretagne in News Feed (HighTide Festival), The Young Woman in Knives In Hens (Greenwich Theatre), Kate Mundy in Dancing At Lughnasa (Tobacco Factory), Gloria in Oh! What A Super-Injunction (Old Vic New Voices: 24 Hour Plays) and Teacher in Health Wealth (Old Vic New Voices).

There are ticket prices to suit all pockets - you won't have to sell the family cow to enjoy the biggest pantomime in Swindon!

Jack and the Beanstalk will run at the Wyvern Theatre from Sat 7 December 2013 to Sun 5 January 2014.

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