Hottest ticket in town? Oh yes it is

In a chilly former church hall where the lights have just failed, the most exclusive event of the Christmas season is taking shape: the annual Portobello Panto.

An invitation to take part, or even just watch, is a great honour. It signifies admittance to a select group of the Notting Hill chattering classes. Wealth, and a house with a W11 postcode, are not enough to buy you access. Indeed, the Panto people frown on vulgar displays of money since all proceeds go to charity.

For the rehearsal the Evening Standard attended, the failed lights paled into insignificance beside the dog that kept invading the stage, perhaps making up for several actors who hadn't turned up.

Dreamed up by actress Anna Chancellor and Kevin Allen, brother of Keith, the show is a chance for locals to mix on stage with west London thespians letting their hair down over Christmas.

This year's production, A Twisted Carol, is no exception. Among the children and enthusiastic amateurs there are cameo appearances by Harry Enfield, Keith Allen and daughter Lily, Ray Winstone, Anneka Rice and David Gest, whose invitation indicates the Panto's view of who's "hot". The cast includes Winstone's daughter Jaime and Lily's brother Alfie, who is about to tour with Equus. The young Allens' half-sister Sarah Owen is one of the producers.

With such a stellar cast, it is hard getting everyone to turn up for rehearsal at the Tabernacle, a former Mormon church turned arts centre. Luckily, comedian and actor Jay Nardone is at hand. He already has three roles in this reworking of the Dickens story and finds himself standing in for a string of missing performers. "The show must go on," he grins.

Richard West, one-time singer with The Shamen and now a DJ known as Mr C, plays Ebeneezer Goode and performs a version of his 1992 No 1 hit.

Jaime Winstone is the Ghost of Christmas Present, doing her best to scare the twisted Carol of the piece, a flint-hearted property developer played by Lydia Leonard, last seen in Frost/Nixon.

The show fell into abeyance until it was revived last year by Owen and coproducer Ruby Platts-Mills. But is it still as exclusive as it always was? Oh yes it is.

A Twisted Carol, Tabernacle, Powis Square, 10-14 December. Tickets £15.