Festive lights role for panto dame

YORK'S veteran pantomime dame will flick the switch for this year's Christmas lights display in one of North Yorkshire's smallest villages.

By The Newsroom

Published 16th Nov 2010, 10:54 BST

Updated 16th Nov 2010, 10:54 BST

Berwick Kaler, who has written, directed and starred as the dame in the city's Theatre Royal pantomimes for the past 32 years, will be in Burn, near Selby, for the official festive switch-on.

His appearance will be the latest celebrity coup for the village, which has only 12 Christmas street lights and a few hundred residents.

Actress Jean Alexander – Coronation Street's Hilda Ogden – switched on the lights in 2008 while Look North presenter Harry Gration was the guest of honour last year.

Mr Kaler, who will be starring in this year's panto, Jack and the Beanstalk, from December 9, said: "Obviously, it is a busy time of year for me but I was happy to find the time to switch on Burn's lights because I am impressed by their community spirit."

He will dress as Queen Victoria for the 5pm switch-on on Saturday, November 27, to match the theme of the village's Victorian Christmas market, which is raising money for charity.