CHAIRMAN of the Tavistock Musical Theatre Company Julian Bennett, is currently treading the boards at the Palace Theatre in Paignton in a production of the pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk.

He is playing the dame — Dame Dottie — a role that Julian has wanted to play for more than 30 years in amateur theatre.

The show by the award-winning Paignton Pantomime Productions runs until Sunday (January 3).

Julian’s first appearance in theatre at the age of 13 was as a castle guard in Jack and the Beanstalk and since then he has gone on to play many lead roles in theatres across Devon and Cornwall including the Theatre Royal, Plymouth, Sterts open air theatre at Upton Cross and the Devonport Playhouse in Plymouth.

Julian has also directed many of the Tavistock Musical Theatre Society’s shows including Hello Hello, Stepping Out, Anything Goes — which won an award of excellence for the district — Annie and most recently a highly successful production of The Pirates of Penzance for the society’s 60th anniversary year.