CHRISTMAS will be more magical than ever this year, thanks to the Wizard of Oz.

Seven decades after the film first hit the silver screen, it is transferring to the stage as Weymouth’s panto for 2009.

The role of the wizard himself has been taken by former EastEnders star Joel Beckett in his first panto performance.

He visited Weymouth this week to get a taste of the town and also see sand sculptor Mark Anderson’s creations inspired by The Wizard of Oz.

Joel said: “Mark’s grandfather was a big fan of The Wizard of Oz and as it is the film’s 70th anniversary this year, he thought it would be a nice tribute to sculpt Dorothy with Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow.”

The Wizard of Oz panto opens at Weymouth Pavilion on Thursday, December 17, and runs until Sunday, January 3, 2010.

It also stars Chelsie Padley from Tracy Beaker as the good witch and funnyman Andy Pelos, who brought the house down when he was in panto at the pavilion two years ago, as Scarecrow.

Weymouth’s very own Sarah Aveling returns to the stage in an evil role as the bad witch Joel, who has also appeared as Dawn’s boyfriend in cult comedy The Office and in Tom Hanks’ Second World War series, Band of Brothers, said: “This is the first time I have done panto and it will be great.

“As pantos go, it is the nearest thing you can get to a stage musical as there is so much fun, laughter and loads of songs and I’m really looking forward to it. The key is to be able to laugh at yourself and get into the panto spirit.

“It is also the first time I have been to Weymouth and I think the town looks lovely.

“I think we will have a lot of fun here this Christmas.

“What other job is there where you can get on stage and make children laugh?”

Tickets for The Wizard of Oz are on sale now at the Weymouth Pavilion box office on 01305 783225.