A much sought after British comedian joins a Rhodes island singer, a former television presenter and a talented Variety Theatre entertainer to make Oakwood's seventh annual pantomime Robinson Crusoe a hot desert island date not to be missed during the chilly festive season!

A wealth of sizzling stage talent has been brought together by comedy impressionist Adam Daye in a bid to create a treasure trove of fun for all the family at the latest Magical Christmasland pantomime which opens on December 1.

Said writer and director, Adam Daye, who this year switches roles from Panto Dame to Panto baddie BlueBeard the Pirate: "I have carefully selected a cast of strong artistes with mixed talents in order to create an hilarious family pantomime based on a classic desert island adventure tale. Comedian Paul Eastwood will make a cheeky comic lead and Bluebeard the Pirate will be a hissable piece of work with his own comic slant! All in all, Robinson Crusoe looks set to be a gem of a pantomime for all the family!"

This year, hero Robinson Crusoe is played by singer/songwriter Gary Rawlings whose talent has taken him half way around the world on cruise ships in a variety of roles from Raoul in Phantom of the Opera and Jesus in Godspell to Knicki in Grease and Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast. He has appeared at The London Palladium and with Rod Hull and Emu and written and recorded his own CD.

Robinson's comic sidekick Billy Crusoe will be played by British comedian Paul Eastwood, a presenter on both Cable and Sky TV and support act to a host of celebrities. Paul has just completed his second season as a star cabaret performer and is lead comic at Eastbourne's Royal Hippodrome Theatre. The new Panto Dame this year is former TV presenter Martin Ramsdin who has a wealth of pantomime experience including three appearances as Panto Dame and the title role in Mother Goose. Martin follows in the prestigious footsteps of Adam Daye who has worked alongside Victoria Wood, Barbara Windsor, Frank Carson, Bob Monkhouse and the late Frankie Howerd and Larry Grayson.

Completing the line-up are Panto Fairy Yvonne Lloyd, who has worked with such Variety Theatre late greats as Frankie Vaughan, Dick Emery, Leslie Crowther and Max Bygraves, pretty heroine Jody Peach - alias Polly - who has worked alongside David Suchet and Wendy Craig and appeared on TV in Jude The Obscure and Out Of Time, Man Friday Jonathan Sheldon and Captain Cockle Paul Hurstfield.

As mentioned, this traditional family tale will hit the stage at Oakwood's Magical Christmasland on December 1 alongside a host of other festive fun in KidzWorld, including the The North Pole, Santa's Magical Workshop and Grotto, The Snow Blaster, The Lost Kingdom, Techniquest and all the Playtown rides. And for the second consecutive year, everything is undercover!

Said Oakwood sales officer Claire Lewis: "Oakwood's Robinson Crusoe will be an action-packed adventure in which the audience will play their part in helping Robinson and his friends to find the hidden treasure. Together we will trace Robinson Crusoe's brave voyage to Tobago, keeping a lookout for bloodthirsty pirates, getting shipwrecked on a desert island and ultimately helping good to conquer over evil. So put on your sea legs, set the rigging and climb aboard for what promises to be another sell-out pantomime."

This year, visitors to Robinson Crusoe and Magical Christmasland at KidzWorld will pay one special package price starting from £11.75 for adults and £10.75 for children, or they can explore all of the KidzWorld attractions separately for just £5 per person. The attraction opens on December 1 and runs through to December 31.

Said Claire Lewis: "Tickets are already selling fast so make sure you telephone 0845 345 5667 now to book your seat on this classic voyage into the magical world of Robinson Crusoe."