A PANTOMIME with a difference is taking place at the Headgate Theatre in Colchester next week.

Don't panic, the home of community theatre's end of year production will have all the pre-requisite elements such as song and dance routines, wise-cracking gags, bad guys, good guys, and of course plenty of fun and sparkle.

What's different is the subject. Not a traditional fairy story but the big guy himself, Father Christmas.

But then, as director Lisa Elvish tells me, the Headgate have always strived to put on something a little bit different at this time of year.

She says: "That's what the Headgate has done in recent years. Something slightly alternative, mainly because there are so many other pantomimes taking place, and we have to choose a script so far in advance it's to avoid any clashes with other local productions.

"I read lots of scripts beforehand but then stumbled across this one on the National Operatic and Dramatic Association's website and thought it could be a lot of fun."

Written by Mark Llewellin, Father Christmas - the Pantomime starts on Christmas morning when Dreadful Deidre receives no presents for the 49th year in a row.

To get her revenge on Father Christmas, she sends her hapless henchmen, Snaffle and Snatchett to do away with Father Christmas, once and for all. Following encounters with an entourage of elves, the Toy Professor, Reindeer Ruby and her daughter Ronnie, will Deirdre and her minions succeed in their evil deeds or be thwarted by Father Christmas.

As in previous years there's plenty of familiar faces including Dave King as Reindeer Ruby, John Davies as Father Christmas, Lydia Clough as Dreadful Deirdre and Kevin Topple as the Toy Professor.

But there's plenty of new faces as well.

"What's been great for me is being able to cast some new people," Lisa adds, "like Victoria Davies as well as Mike Cutmore and Stuart Williams, who are playing the henchmen.

"I think to have the stability of people who have been in the panto before has given them the confidence to really shine."

Lisa, who assisted last year's production of Peter Pan at the Headgate, but is perhaps best known for stage managing Colchester Operatic Society's productions at the Mercury Theatre, also promised a few little surprises as well.

"We're going to make it pretty magical," she says, "and as well as the show, we're going to have a postbox so children can post their letters to Father Christmas and every child who comes along will also get a gift."

Father Christmas - The Pantomime

Headgate Theatre,

Chapel Street North, Colchester.

Wednesday until Sunday, December 7 to 11. Each night at 7pm until Saturday, extra shows at 2.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

£11, £9 (children/students only). 01206 366000.

www.headgatetheatre.co.uk