IT’S not a sight you will see every day, but two pantomime characters visited a Basingstoke business this week to pick up some baking tips.

Lester the Jester and Nanny Nora, from this year’s The Anvil pantomime Sleeping Beauty, paid a visit to The Homemade Brownie Company and had a lesson from owner Laura Bland.

The pair, dressed in their costumes, brought plenty of laughter as well as chaos as they helped label the brownies ready for dispatch and learnt how to make a classic brownie mix ready for the oven. 

Nanny Nora, played by Nic Gibney, said: “I am in charge of making the show-stopping cake for Princess Rose’s 18th birthday this year and our visit has given me some great ideas! But I may need to keep my son Lester out of the kitchen!”

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Lester the Jester and Nanny Nora during their visit to The Homemade Brownie Company (Image: Anvil Arts) Chris Pizzey, who plays Lester, added: “It has been great fun here today. Laura and her team are brilliant, and the brownies are delicious!  Nic and I tasted a couple of the flavours and they are amazing! It’s been great to see a local business in action.”

Nic continued: “I am really looking forward to returning to The Anvil this year for panto, especially with Chris directing once again. I can’t wait to join him on stage as his mum”.

Sleeping Beauty is at The Anvil from December 12 and runs to January 5. Tickets are on sale now. 

 Contact the Anvil Arts box office on 01256 844244 or visit anvilarts.org.uk for more details.

Anvil Arts prioritises local suppliers, cutting down on food miles and supporting the Basingstoke economy.

The Homemade Brownie Company is based in Basingstoke and supplies several businesses in the area including Anvil Arts, as well delivering to cafes, restaurants and individual customers.