A lion with low self-esteem, a metallic man with seized-up joints and a scarecrow with mobility issues are an unlikely trio.

At cornerHOUSE arts centre in Surbiton next week though the three will join the delightfully feminine Dottie and her grumpy dog Tutu in a pantomime quest to find The Wizard of Od.

It is the 23rd annual production by the team, who have raised more than £35,000 since the late 1980s for local and African charities.

Director Jon Constant believes the show is a parable for our times and would guarantee laughs in the current climate of gloom.

“There are messages of hope in the show, largely thanks to the original songs written by Tom Wateracre,” he said.

Writer Les Hutchinson said she departed from the usual pantomime rules by making the baddies a bit classier than usual and revealed the capture of a top actor.

“We have been lucky this year to secure the services of actor Jeremy Thorn, who has spent the last couple of years touring overseas in a pantomime of his own,” she said.

“He is spearheading the forces of evil, backed by the ever-reliable Peter Harding.”

The show marks a stage breakthrough for Tim Harrison, who has been in every pantomime at the arts centre in Douglas Road.

“Until Wizard of Od, I have just had small walk-on parts, but being cast as Dottie – and being given a song of my own – is a major promotion and will, I hope, lead to bigger things,” he said.

“I’ve been told a couple of agents will be in the audience at the weekend, so it may not be too long before my name is in lights at Rose Theatre in Kingston.”

The Wizard of Od’s spectacular sets have been designed by Tim Cannings, who has based the scenery on the psychedelic drawings of local artist Emily Newton.

The Wizard of Od, The cornerHOUSE, Douglas Road, Surbiton, January 25 to 29, 7.45pm (Saturday matinee 4pm), £7. Call 020 8296 9012 or visit thecornerhouse.org