ACTOR Aidan Bell has the distinction of appearing in pantomime and in a blockbuster film - at the same time in the same North-East venue.

Aidan, 39, is spending Christmas hamming it up on stage as one of the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella, at Durham City's Gala Theatre.

The £14m theatre's cinema is also screening Lord of the Rings III, in which he has a role as an orc.

Because of his panto commitments Aidan, from Hertfordshire, has not had the chance to see the film but hopes to see next week which of his scenes were used.

"It's a bit funny in that I will be on stage in the Gala and at the same time be on screen in the cinema part of the building," he said.

"My wife and I decided to go out to New Zealand and I found out they were still filming, so I said to my agent that I just had to be involved. I got a few days as an orc, which was fantastic.

"It was a good paying gig, but the main thing was the experience of being on set and being involved with the project.

"Some of New Zealand's best-known actors were involved as orcs because they wanted to be involved in something as big as this.

"We had training from these Maoris in how to get the stance of an orc and run like one in a Latex costume.

"I know my performance is in the film.

"Security on set was so tight that they would not allow any photographs of any of the smaller roles to be shot.

"But, after sitting in make-up for hours, I don't think I would have recognised myself anyway."

Theatre spokesman Ed Tutty said: "It is unique thing for a theatre to have someone appearing in a panto and a film at the same time.''

* For details of pantomime and film showings contact the Gala Theatre box office on 0191-332 4041.

Published: 19/12/2003