Villainy is making a comeback at The Maltings Arts Theatre as director Xavier Fontenille whips up a storm of pirate devilment in Lanternfish’s panto, Robinson Crusoe And The Pirates.

Xavier is well-known for playing the baddie in the resident theatre company’s productions so you can expect tons of dastardly deeds.

“There will be lots of opportunities for the audience to join in,” says Xavier. “They can pull evil pirate faces and have a go at chanting. There’ll be some playful swashbuckling but without anyone getting decapitated and guns firing.”

It may sound like risky stuff but you can be sure all the safety measures are in place. Lanternfish regularly tours the country playing to school audiences before coming home to St Albans for the finale.

“We use a highly advanced form of imaginary gun and some pop-guns,” explains Xavier. “We’re also using a simpler set: pirate ship/desert island, so it’s led by the imagination more.”

While his happy band of players are on the road, Xavier is training to be a drama therapist at Roehampton University. It sounds as though he’s learning some pretty deep stuff.

“The Jungian concept is that everyone has a dark, shadowy side that they don’t normally express. We are mostly polite, kind and open doors for people – it’s nice to have a chance to be wicked and turn all that goodness on its head.

“The Maltings usually attracts a young audience. It’s often their first visit to a panto so they’re still learning the conventions of booing and hissing and the ‘it’s behind yous’. We like to make them feel safe before we let rip.”

Details: The Maltings Arts Theatre, The Maltings, St Albans (December 21-26), 01727 844222