THERE was a fear that Steve Bennett's role in this year's pantomime might have to be The Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe after the Exeter Northcott theatre went into administration, but the man who plays Exeter's much-loved dame is no longer homeless.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is at the Corn Exchange on December 18 and Steve is thrilled to be taking on the role of Dame Dolly Dumpling.

"It was a bit precarious, for a moment" he says. "Thirteen years I have been at the Northcott as a dame, but fortune shone on us and I am really excited by the new challenge. Snow White is not a panto I have done before, but it is a terrifically funny script and Ian Trafford, the director, has done a fantastic job on the script."

Playing the dame each year is not just a job to Steve, as he is genuinely a panto fan.

"Doing it right does matter to me. I am a firm believer that panto is very important — it is often children's first time at the theatre and it needs to be done properly.

"I think we went through a stage in the Eighties where it was looked on as a cheap form of entertainment done by ex-soap stars, but that has changed again now and traditional pantos are very much part of Christmas again and I am keen that it stays that way," he says.

But he is also aware that there has to be something for everyone in a pantomime — not just the children.

"I think it is very important that we make sure the whole family is entertained. It is very easy to say 'it's for the kids' and forget the mums and dads.

"If you do a traditional panto right and you have all the elements — the slapstick scene, the balance of comedy and keep the story faithful — then you get a good show for everyone," he says emphatically.

As well as Steve, this year the pantomime has a well-known name in the cast, Sandra Dickinson, who is playing the witch, Queen Malificent.

"It is brilliant she is part of this," Steve says. "I am really looking forward to acting with her as I remember Sandra from all her television work (most notably her role as Trillian in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy). And there is also Noel White, who has been a regular with me over the years at the Northcott, who is coming back to play Muddles."

He is also looking forward to working at a new venue.

"That, of course, as an actor is a great challenge. I have seen things at the Corn Exchange but never appeared there, so that is going to be great," he laughs.

For more information, see www.snow-white-exeter.com or telephone the box office on 01392 665938.