There are many elements that go into a good panto – a hero and heroine for the audience to root for; show-stopping song and dance numbers; and a baddie to boo. But unquestionably one of the key ingredients is a good old Dame – and Harrow Arts Centre (HAC) has found itself just that for Dick Whittington in the form of local man Peter Biggs.

Eschewing the likes of grande dames such as Norman Evans, Les Dawson or Danny La Rue, Peter is putting his own stamp on the role of Sarah the Cook.

“I’m bringing in a bit of a Jamaican grandmother, a matriarch type of twist to Sarah,” says Peter, 54. “I’m from that background myself and I’m basing it on someone that I knew in my childhood. I thought it would bring something a little bit different to the character.”

In the tradition of HAC pantomime, this is Peter’s first time in panto and he’s very much enjoying playing Sarah, the employee of Alderman Fitzwarren who has a ‘serious crush’ on her boss.

“She thinks he’s gorgeous and throughout the pantomime I’m expressing my undying love for Fitzie,” says Peter. “The last time I did any form of acting was at school – so one or two years ago! But it’s something I’ve always fancied doing but for one reason or another never got around to doing.”

Peter went into the army after school, joining the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, based in Germany and was in the Falklands, Northern Ireland and the first Gulf War, and since leaving has been working for social housing associations, most recently for Harrow Council.

“I’ve got about seven or eight costume changes,” Peter laughs, “it’s going to be a nightmare. Thankfully, I’ve got a dresser to get me in and out of all the concoctions. There will be a couple of surprises about the costumes – I can’t tell you what but I won’t be living this down at the council anytime soon!”

  • Dick Whittington is at Harrow Arts Centre, Uxbridge Road, Hatch End from Wednesday, December 19 to Sunday, December 23 at various times. Details: 020 8416 8989, www.harrowarts.com