The distance from Chipperfield and Potters Bar is only 14 miles but what lies between the two Hertfordshire locations is the span of a West End career. Tony Timberlake, who directs and stars as Fleshcreep in Wyllyotts Theatre’s production of Jack & the Beanstalk, has appeared on the stage in London’s theatreland in Cats, Les Miserables, Spamalot and Hairspray.

He also played Kenneth Williams in Cleo, Camping, Emanuel & Dick at Watford Palace Theatre.

"As a kid I was lucky enough to go to see Carry on London, which is mentioned in the play and he talks about watching the rest of the gang in the show. I watched a lot of Carry On films to get the impersonation right and read his fascinating diaries in which he said 'I grieve for the person I dreamed of being but never grew into'. That's one role I wouldn't mind revisiting."

Tony, who lives in Bounds Green, Enfield has previously starred in pantomimes at the Hackney Empire and Theatre Royal Stratford East.

For the Wyllyotts show, he is doubling up, playing the baddie and getting the technical side of the proceedings in place as the director, which he admits has been a challenge.

“It’s exhausting but once you hear the kids in the audience shouting it carries you though,“ admits Tony as he wipes away the silver glitter and green eyeshadow from that morning’s performance. “You’re there to tell them the story of good versus evil and make sure they have a good time. Being the baddie you have to get the balance right between being funny and being frightening. In a school matinee performance you literally can’t hear yourself speak as all they want to do is kill you!“

Born in Chipperfield, Tony says he came to acting rather late having started out on the amateur circuit at 16 with the Pump House Youth Theatre. Tony attended Kings Langley School and went on to study at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.

While at The Pump House, Tony met Chris Jordan, who has been producing shows at Wyllyotts for the past 17 years.

“Back in those amateur days, if you were a young lad you got picked up across the board, I performed with the King’s Langley Players at Pendley in Tring and for Watford Fullerians. Strangely enough, Chris and I never did any shows together as performers. He went on to Webber Douglas while I was at Mountview but we’ve stayed in touch and I’ve worked with his wife, Natasha, in a couple of Christmas shows.“

Joining Tony on stage for Jack & the Beanstalk are Andrew Bolton (Annie Get Your Gun, FAME) as King Cuthbert, Victoria Bush (Bad Girls) in the role of Fairy Fushia and Nicholas Collett as Dame Trott with support from The Highstone Dance Academy.

After the run, Tony is off to the National Theatre Studio where he will spend a week developing his own script about identity and gender in sport and he will next be on stage in Monkee Business – a show based around the music of The Monkees at Manchester Opera House.

Jack and the Beanstalk is at Wyllyotts Theatre, Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar until Sunday, January 1. Details: 01707 645005, www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk