Stand-up comedians have to be good at rolling with the punches so Hackney resident Geoff Aymer should have no trouble striding confidently on to the stage at Harrow Arts Centre for his debut panto, Aladdin – even if he does have to dolly up a little for his role as the Dame.

It turns out this is not Geoff’s first time wearing women‘s clothes, but he’s not exactly comfortable with the idea.

“I was in a sketch show many years ago where I dressed up as a woman. I had to go into a changing room and try on a bra, which was a bit weird. I wouldn’t say it was a flattering experience.”

Geoff has not yet been fitted for his pantomime Dame costume, but he has been getting to grips with the over-the-top, outrageous look required for playing Widow Twankey.

“I’m going to be wearing a wig and makeup. If I play it straight I don’t think I’ll get away with it. I think I’ll make a very handsome woman but definitely not a beautiful one.”

An actor and writer as well as a former comedian, Geoff’s credits include sketch shows such as Newsrevue at the Canal Café Theatre and Aymer and Powell’s Assorted Foolishness. And his film credits includes the character Pa Tagbo in Rag Tag and William in a couple of episodes of EastEnders.

His writing credits include the TV sitcom pilot Chatsworth and plays: Anansi And The Magic Mirror, The Oddest Couple, What A Wonderful World and What If.

On the stage he has appeared in Brixton Stories at the Lyric, Hammersmith, The Big Life at Theatre Royal Stratford East and Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue and The Wiz at The Hackney Empire.

His most recent production was the premiere of Richard Harris’ musical comedy That Old Feeling at The Mill at Sonning last year, alongside Trudie Goodwin.

So will Geoff be in fine song for Harrow audiences?

“I can carry a tune and I’ll have a go at trying to sing anything,” says Geoff gamely.

“When I was a child I had piano and violin lessons but I’ve not had any formal training as a singer. I always wanted to act and write, which I’m still doing, but I was sidetracked into stand up comedy for a while.”

His comedy skills will no doubt come to the fore when he dips his toe into panto.

“You definitely learn about timing and know where the funny stuff is meant to be. It can be tricky getting it to be funny but in theory you know what bits are played for laughs and then all sorts of amusing stuff happens during the rehearsal process.”

Join Geoff and a cast of largely homegrown talent for Aladdin at Harrow Arts Centre, Uxbridge Road, Hatch End from December 18 to 22.

Details: 020 8416 8989, www.harrowarts.com