IT'S a pantomime quite like any other and one that students from all educational disciplines like to get involved with.

Even the title of Essex University Theatre Arts Society's pantomime this year is a little bit out of the ordinary, although the story itself couldn't be more traditional.

Peter Panto, as the name suggests, is based on the classic J M Barrie story of the boy who wouldn't grow, and as such the fee for doing the show goes straight to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Co-director LLoyd Shankley, a third year drama student at Essex, says: "We checked everything out and made sure all the rights were in place before we started but the script itself has been written by two students here.

"It was a little different this year because usually the society executive chooses the play and then gets a team in to put it on but this year it was the other way around."

Lloyd's co-director is 2nd year drama student, Osian England.

He adds: "Everyone has to apply to the society but we had a pretty large group of people involved and ambitions to make it the biggest TAS panto ever so we were relatively hopeful ours would be chosen."

And big it is. There's a cast of just under 30, ranging from first to third years, as well as one alumni of the university who has come back to take part, with plenty of the students coming from outside of the theatrical arts, including one philosophy student and someone studying linguistics.

"In terms of new faces, we've been very lucky," LLoyd adds. "But that's what's great about these shows, bringing new people in who are then guided by the people who have done it before. We've also gone international with a student from Portugal who is playing Tiger Lily in her first ever performance and blew us away at the auditions."

The team also have a special musical director in Eleanor Kingsford, choreographer Hayley Want and even a dance captain with Megan Sharman, who along with Sophie Joshua also wrote the show.

But what makes the TAS pantomime that little bit special is the fact it's definitely not for the little ones.

"Well," Osian smiles, "we've tried not to make it too sweary but it has got a 16 plus guidance. I think a lot of the humour comes from the physical and innuendo."

LLoyd adds: "We're calling it tastefully disgusting, if that helps."

It probably does!

Peter Panto runs at the Lakeside Theatre, Square 5, Essex University, from Wednesday, December 14, until Friday, December 16, from 7.30pm each night.

Tickets are priced £13, £9 for concessions and £6 for students, available from the box office on 01206 873261 or on-line at www.lakesidetheatre.org.uk