YORK Barbican has launched box-office sales for Robin Hood And The Babes In The Woods, its first Christmas pantomime since 2012.

Presented by Those Magic Beans, a production company run by writer, director, producer and self-confessed “panto geek” Jamie Wilson, the show will run from December 21 to 31.

All the principal cast attended yesterday afternoon’s box-office launch, bar Brookside, The Royal and Coronation Street star Michael Starke, who was busy filming his latest television role in Spain.

Mr Wilson was joined by Boyzone singer Shane Lynch, who will play the Sheriff; EastEnders’ Ricky Norwood (Silly Billy); A1 lead singer Ben Adams (Robin Hood); Phats & Small and Boys Allowed singer Ben Ofoedu (Little John); The Voice contestant Jaz Ellington (Friar Tuck) and Nineties’ singer Anna Kumble, alias Lolly (Fairy Of The Forest).

Shane Lynch has never played the Barbican with Boyzone, “but we did do a concert at the racecourse, and it’s good to be coming here for the pantomime,” said the 40-year-old Irishman.

Mr Lynch has been performing in panto since 2004. “I kind of stepped into the world of acting; my agent said, ‘you know what, you should do panto, earn your stripes’. So I did and the only Christmases I’ve not done panto since then have been when Boyzone were touring,” he said.

“I started by playing the Prince, singing a few songs, the big duets, getting to kiss the girl, but then this particular company, Those Magic Beans, came along and Jamie said, ‘how about doing the baddie?’.

“I’d always thought of the baddie as a big role in the show, but I loved it straightaway. I’ve played Abanazar, Captain Hook, and this is my first Sheriff.”

What style of baddie can York expect? “I’m not a hiss and boo baddie because I don’t bate the crowd; it’s more creative than just hiss and boo, and Jamie’s own creativity allows you to do that. I’d like to think it’s more West End than a typical pantomime,” said Mr Lynch.

He may be a pop singer but he had a surprising revelation to make. “I don’t sing as the baddie. For me, a baddie is meant to be bad and you don’t want him to be all singing, all dancing,” he said.

Tickets for Robin Hood can be booked on 0844 854 2757, at yorkbarbican.co.uk or in person from the Barbican box office.