Kent actor Christopher Beeny has watched many shows at The Assembly Hall in Tunbridge Wells, but this year will be the first time he has trod its boards

Kent actor Christopher Beeny has watched many shows at The Assembly Hall in Tunbridge Wells, but this year will be the first time he has trod its boardsTell us a bit about youI was born in London during the early part of the Second World War but I spent my formative years in Bristol. My parents were both teachers and fortunately spotted my potential as a child actor, so they moved closer to London to enable me to work for the BBC. I now live on the Kent/Sussex border and love it – it has got to be one of the most beautiful parts of England.Have you performed at the Assembly Hall before?This will be my first visit to the Assembly Hall as an actor, although I have been there many times to watch different productions. I will be playing the part of the King in Sleeping Beauty and am looking forward getting to know all the cast. I have never worked with any of them before, which is unusual for me having spent the last 64 years in the profession.What do you love about panto?Like many actors I love panto as it gives me the opportunity to let my hair down and have great fun – and I get paid for it!Your favourite roles as an actor?As a child actor I was very lucky to play Lennie Grove in The Grove Family, the first television soap. As an adult I was again lucky when I was offered the part of Edward in the evergreen series Upstairs, Downstairs and later Morton Beamish in Last Of The Summer Wine. My favourite role was playing Billy Henshaw in the series In Loving Memory. We recorded five series over as many years and it was great fun to play, particularly as I co-starred with Dame Thora Hird, who became a great friend and taught me so much about comedy.Any time off at Christmas?With panto you only really get Christmas Day off, so I will be spending that quietly with my family, building up my strength for the Boxing Day onslaught!What will you ask Santa for?If I could ask for anything for Christmas I would ask for a better memory… sorry, what was the question again?

Competition

To win a family ticket, maximum four people, valid for the 7pm performance of Sleeping Beauty on Tue 13 Dec PLUS a fabulous �100-worth of vouchers to eat at nearby Strada, Tunbridge Wells, 74-76 Mount Pleasant Road, TN1 1RJ (01892 520 007), just answer this question:

Who is playing the role of the Bad Fairy in Sleeping Beauty?A Barbara WindsorB Glynis BarberC Patsy Kensit

Mark your entry ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and email to: editor@kent-life.co.uk or on a postcard to: Kent Life, Baskerville Place, 28 Teville Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1UG.Deadline for entries: 6 December 2011

For competition guidelines, see:greatbritishlife.co.uk/smallprint/terms/

SLEEPING BEAUTY10 Dec-2 Jan 2012 Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2LU01892 530613/532072Opening night: all tickets �1513-16 Dec: �19 and �17; �2 off for senior citizens; children �14.5024-26 Dec: �21 and �18; no concessions or offersAll other dates: �21 and �18; �2 off for senior citizensAll children �16; family of four, 10 per cent off front stalls only