Emma takes the title role of Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk straight from the tour of Chicago and with a happy spell in the BBC soap East Enders behind her.

Emma was trained in musical theatre but became a household name when she played Honey in EastEnders. She said: It's very difficult to cross the divide between musical theatre and straight acting,"

"So it was like a dream come true to get the part which was perfect for me."

Emma had always been a fan of the soap and she had four auditions before she got the role. "I know it sounds corny to say it was like a family," she said

"But it really was. We all supported each other and it was wonderful to work with actors like Perry Fenwick, Steve McFadden and Barbara Windsor. One of the first jobs Honey had was to serve behind the bar in the Queen Vic and the set is so small - much smaller than it looks on television."

Emma comes to Eastbourne straight from the tour of Chicago where she is playing Roxie Hart and playing Jack will mean a reunion for her.

She worked with Chris in 1998 in her first pantomime and the following year she was in Dick Whittington with Martyn Knight who is playing the Dame for the 6th year running. This year he will have nine or ten costume changes.

One of the most spectacular costumes in the show goes to Kevin Pallister, who plays the baddie, "Fleshcreep." Kevin will be remembered for playing nasty teacher Graham Clark in Emmerdale. "I pushed someone off a cliff," he said.

"Then I tried it again and failed and I went over the cliff myself."

Carl Patrick returns for the 4th year to play Dame Trott's son, Simple Simon. He has just been touring with David Essex in "All the Fun of the Fair."

Jack and The Beanstalk is at the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne from December 11 2009 to January 10 2010. Tickets are priced from £10.50. To book telephone the box office on 01323 412000 or log on to the website www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk