Police officers were in action in Chatham High Street as they arrested a baddie – but it was all part of the festive fun when the Central Theatre’s pantomime launched.

Former EastEnder Todd Carty, who is playing the evil Abanazaar, was apprehended by Britain’s Got Talent duo Twist and Pulse, who will be police officers Hip and Hop on stage.

This year’s show promises to take the audience on a magic carpet ride as Jordan Productions Ltd brings Aladdin to Chatham, the company’s first panto in Kent.

Writer and producer Chris Jordan said: “We are very proud to be bringing our version of Aladdin to the Central Theatre this Christmas and what a great space we’ve got here and what tremendous possibilities.”

Mr Jordan first came to the Central Theatre in 2004 to see magician Stephen Mulhern as Buttons in Cinderella.

He said: “I remember thinking one day I’d really like to produce a panto in here. It’s only taken me 10 years to pull it off.”

Sussex-based Jordan Productions was established in 1993, and has spent 21 years producing shows with some of the leading names in television and musical theatre, including Bonnie Langford and EastEnders star Letitia Dean as well as Todd Carty and Stephen Mulhern.

Todd, who started his acting career as Tucker Jenkins in Grange Hill before becoming Mark Fowler in EastEnders, says he is really looking forward to the show.

“It’s all old fashioned fun, who doesn’t love a custard pie in the face?” he said.

“We try to put on a good show for people, it went down really well in Redditch last year so we’re really hoping that the good citizens of Medway will enjoy it just as much.”

He said of his character Abanazaar: “He’s going to be evil because that’s what it says on the tin, but I want you to love to hate him. He’s a bit of a rascal, he’s got a glint in his eye but I wouldn’t trust him.”

But never fear, because PCs Hip and Hop are on hand to keep – or try to keep – everything under control. Twist and Pulse, who came second on Britain’s Got Talent in 2010, said: “We got approached to do panto for the first time last year and we loved it. It’s just so fun.”

The duo will bring their unique brand of Streetomedy to the stage and will not be having any misbehaviour in the audience.

“Anytime anyone steps out of line we send them to the naughty corner. They have to do the splits if they’re naughty.”

The cast also includes Eurovision singer Javine Hylton as the Genie of the Ring, Mark Siney as Widow Twankey and David Dobson as Wishee Washee.

Everyone is staying tight-lipped about how the Genie of the Lamp will appear but promise a fantastic surprise.

Jordan Productions takes over from Evolution Productions, which has been staging pantomimes at the theatre since 2006.

DETAILS

Aladdin is at Chatham's Central Theatre from Friday, December 12 until Saturday, January 3. Call 01634 338338 or visit http://tickets.medway.gov.uk/.