ONCE it was ‘Hi-De-Hi’, but now it’s going to be very much a case of ‘Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho’ for one of the favourite characters from the famous holiday camp comedy series in which she played Peggy - the staff chalet maid.

Afficionados of the hugely popular television series won’t need reminding that Peggy Ollerenshaw was played by the always effervescent, if not zany, Su Pollard.

Now Su is about to play the Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which will be the festive pantomime at Malvern’s Festival Theatre over the Christmas period.

And she was in town this week to help launch the panto along with fellow cast members.

Throughout the 58 episodes of Hi-De-Hi, Su’s character had aspirations to become a Maplin’s Yellowcoat but now she will be wearing costumes far more colourful and outrageous - much like her outgoing personality.

She was the life and soul of the launch and Malvern audiences will be in for a real treat with her in this form.

Born and raised in Nottingham and very proud of her roots, she has been 'treading the boards' - first performing in clubs - since she was 15 years old.

Su says she is delighted to be returning to Malvern.

“I have fond memories of the theatre when I performed here in Annie three years ago as Miss Hannigan.”

She recently put on her own show in Las Vegas called Last Laugh in Vegas.

Su was joined at the launch by several of the upcoming panto cast such as Philip Meeks, who will be playing a very much over-the-top Nursie - the traditional panto dame.

Phiip is a versatile actor, writer, producer, and is described as a ‘witty wordsmith'.

He too is very much looking forward to performing in Snow White this year having played the part of Aladdin’s Widow Twankey in 2016 and 2017.

Also retuning to the Festival by popular demand after his very successful performance in last year’s panto, Cinderella, is Mark James as Muddles.

He is a talented and versatile actor and magician and he will once again be delighting audiences with his magic tricks. He says he is also looking forward to working with such a talented cast in Snow White.

Two of the Dwarfs who are actors of experience, George Appleby and Charlotte F, were also there. They are an engaged couple and both have quite an acting pedigree.

George’s film/TV work includes Game of Thrones and other major films such as the Harry Potter series. This year’s panto will be his 19th. Meanwhile Charlotte also has a busy career and has appeared in the TV soap Emmerdale and this will be her third panto appearance.

Making his first visit to the county is Aidan Banyard who will be playing the Prince, Snow White’s love interest. He says it is something he is looking forward to over the Christmas period— especially working with Su Pollard and the rest of the cast.

He has a fine tenor voice and sings with The Choir of Man, who have appeared in concert across the world. He is heading back to America shortly for more performances before retuning for panto rehearsals.

And also there, of course, was Francesca McKean, who plays the title role of Snow White. She has a little catching up to do on Su Pollard with this being her first major role in panto since finishing drama school.

Of her debut she says she is desperately keen to perform well and is looking forward to being part of such a fine cast.

Snow White and the Severn Dwarfs opens on the evening of Thursday, December 13 and runs through to Sunday, January 6, 2019.

VRW