Two former drama students at Penryn College will be reunited in the leading roles for this year’s Hall for Cornwall pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, after seeing their careers grow like magic.

Peter Collett and Kate Edney were this week cast in the roles of Jack and Jill for the pantomime in Truro, which is always one of the most popular events on the theatre’s schedule.

Kate will soon be seen in the next series of BBC1’s Casualty in which she stars as Dr Eve Chester. She also appearing in the film She Show Me Her Gifts, a collaboration between the London Film School and National Gallery. Meanwhile upcoming star of the stage Peter has most recently appeared in Peter Barlow’s Loveplay and in Gary Jones Napoli Milionaria.

The pantomime will bring together the pair who knew each other while at college in Penryn and where then surprised when they met again at the Guildford School of Acting where they both studied drama. Once again they will be reunited, this time back on home turf, and they couldn’t be more thrilled.

Kate said: “It’s lovely to come back in Cornwall and I appreciate it even more now that I have lived away. I went to London initially because I wanted to do musical theatre, but I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work back in the South West by filming Casualty in Bristol and then appearing in Jack And The Beanstalk at Hall for Cornwall.”

Kate got hooked on performing at a young age and was involved with Falmouth Showstoppers, charity shows and other local dance and drama productions.

When 15 years old, Kate took part in Kneehigh Theatre’s millennium collaboration with local schools and the resulting production Off The Map was performed the Hall For Cornwall and then at the Millennium Dome in London.

In his younger years in Cornwall, Peter was also a key figure in the local amateur dramatics scene, performing in numerous productions such as Bugsy Malone with the Redruth Amateur Operatic Society Trust and Oliver with the Truro Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society.

Peter also gained experience by working as a stage technician at Hall for Cornwall – an experience which he says gave him a good grounding in stage etiquette.

Their roles also means they have spend the festive period with their families. Ian Liston, director of Hiss and Boo which co-produces the pantomime with Hall for Cornwall, said: “Peter and Kate stood out as being true stars and we are delighted they will be joining us for Jack and the Beanstalk.”

Jack and the Beanstalk runs from Friday, December 11 to Sunday, January 3. Tickets cost between £13 and £17.50. Call the box office on 01872 262 466 or book online at www.hallforcornwall.co.uk