IT’S all in the family for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, this year’s panto offering at the Wycombe Swan. For not only are husband and-wife Linda Lusardi and Sam Kane taking to the stage, but so too are their children Lucy and Jack.

Former glamour model, soap actress and Dancing On Ice star Linda will take on the role of the Wicked Queen, while Sam, who also directs the production, stars as the dashing Prince.

Meanwhile Lucy, 12, who recently took on the lead role in Ridegway Drama School’s production of Annie, will play the Good Fairy and eight-year-old Jack will join the chorus.

Linda, who celebrated her 50th birthday in September, tells me: “It’s really in their blood. Jack is a natural-born comic and a great little dancer. Lucy started singing at the age of three and it’s unbelievable just how good she is. But the talent is just there.”

Husband Sam, who is well-known for his roles in Brookside, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, is equally impressed by his daughter’s blossoming skills.

The 40-year-old actor, who will appear in Hot Flush! at Wycombe Swan in April, says: “I’m not the kind of parent who’s really pushy and wanting to get them into showbusiness. They’ve got to want to do this, and they both do.”

He adds: “Lucy is ridiculously talented, in fact, I think she’s better than me! But then I do think she takes after her father!”

Having the whole family in panto not only means “saving a fortune in babysitting”, quips Sam, but is also more than appropriate considering it was panto that first brought Sam and Linda together 15 years ago.

The former soap actress tells me: “We met working in panto, fell in love in panto and now it’s the only time we are together because of our busy schedules. So it’s lovely, and with all of us in the show, we are a true panto family!”

Rehearsals for the production finally got under way this week and Linda tells me she can’t wait to step into the shoes of the Wicked Queen once more, a role she has played since son Jack was born.

She recalls with a smile: “The first time I played her, Jack was six weeks old and I think all my post-natal depression came out on stage!

“But it was a great role to have, because I could vent all my emotions and get away with it! And, of course, it’s a great laugh as well, so it was very therapeutic.”

Linda adds: “What I love most about the role is that it’s such a departure from anything else I’ve played. You end up going into a completely different voice, attitude and stance and actually I think I come across as quite wicked! But don’t worry, there’s always a happy ending and everything I do backfires. Even the mirror turns on me by the end!”

Now looking ahead to the opening night, Sam says the audience can expect a “breathtaking” show filled with dazzling costumes, side-splitting comedy and special effects.

He adds: “People don’t expect the standard to be as high as it is, but it really is fantastic. It’s good all-round fun for the family and with all the effects this year, it’s breathtaking to look at.”

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs arrives at Wycombe Swan from Friday, December 12 to Sunday, January 11, 2009. Details: 01494 512000 or www.wycombeswan.co.uk