This summer Australian actress Elisha Gazdowicz was feeling a little bit homesick but she should be fine by now.

Neighbours' Jessica has now been joined by a fellow Aussie and another famous face from Neighbours, tearaway Toadfish, alias Ryan Maloney, to give the Beck Theatre's pantomime a real flavour of the land down under.

But Elisha, in true panto style, has bagged the lead role as Dick Whittington and she's having lots of fun.

"It's my pantomime debut," grins the actress, who's been making the most of a sabbatical from Neighbours to come to England. "I'm very excited!"

Despite her enthusiasm, Elisha hasn't crossed the globe simply to star in panto. During the summer she was enjoying her first taste of outdoor Shakespeare with a three month tour of northern England.

""It was fantastic," she says. "It was so wonderful to play to 500 people a night, and to perform Shakespeare.

"We were really lucky with the weather, too. We were performing in parks and around ruins, for example Kirkstall Abbey in Yorkshire and it was fine most nights, anyway!"

After a spell with one of the English-speaking world's favourite soaps, Elisha's' ready for a new challenge but being on TV at both sides of the world has its advantages.

"Because of the time delay of episodes of Neighbours between England and Australia, I can still be airing here while I'm in plays over here too!" she explains.

"I've actually finished Neighbours in Australia, though. I've come to England to establish myself as an actor that can do lots of different things, on stage as well as in film.

"There's much more opportunity here, and the whole industry is so much better."

Despite this, Elisha isn't dismissive of the power of the soap, and coming to England has made her realise just how many people are familiar with the show.

"Neighbours is made for an international audience but I never knew the ratings here could be so huge!" she laughs. "You have the equivalent of half the population of Australia tuning in to every episode!"

Stage-struck Elisha hasn't decided, however, whether she'll return to Neighbours or not. "I really miss home, but being part of the pantomime is like having a new family."

That 'family' comprises panto supremos Charles Vance and Hugo Myatt writing and directing, Marty Swift in dame role as Sarah the Cook, Ruth Carr as the Spirit of Bow Bells and sensational clowns Tweedy and Alexis, but Elisha's favourite is clear.

"Having Ryan Maloney here, playing Idle Jack, has given me a taste of home too," she says. "He's a lot of fun. He's just as witty as his character in Neighbours!"

Dick Whittington is at the Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes from Friday December 14 to Saturday January 12.

Tickets are £14.50 and £13.50, with special prices and certain shows for concessions and parties.

Call the box office on 8561 8371 for details and to book.

By.Vienna Leigh