ACTRESS Toyah Willcox will be sharpening her talons in preparation for her next appearance at the Marlowe theatre in Canterbury.

The theatre announced today that she is to play the Wicked Queen in this year's Christmas panto, Snow White.

Toyah, in the city this week to star in Calamity Jane at the Marlowe, said: "It's one of the best things to do in panto. In many ways it's the part you can have the most fun with. However the audience reacts to you, you can use it. It's such a rewarding role."

It's not the first time Toyah has appeared in a pantomime produced by Kevin Wood. She has played the Wicked Queen for him before and in 1999 starred as Peter Pan at the Marlowe, flying in to the stage from the back of the auditorium.

Tickets for Snow White are already on sale. To book call the box office on 01227 787787.