ROYAL Shakespeare Company actor Daniel Flynn has few memories of Evesham, the town of his place of birth.

Daniel, aged 40, was born at the town's maternity hospital while his father, Eric Flynn, was appearing with the likes of Vanessa Redgrave, Ian Bannen and Christopher Plummer in the RSC's 1961 season, considered by critics to be one of the all-time classics.

It also included Geiglud's Othello, in which young Eric was a "spear carrier".

"My parents had a little cottage in Cleeve Prior and so I stayed there as a baby until my father transferred to the Aldwych Theatre and we moved to London," says Daniel.

Since then, he has only returned to Evesham once, 15 years ago, when he attended the wedding of a friend who ran a pub in the town.

However, the actor is looking forward to renewing his connections with Evesham when he returns to Stratford to appear in the RSC's new family show Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.

The production is due to preview at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from Friday, November 30 and is due to run until March 9.

Daniel plays three linking parts in the show -Dodgson, based on the author and teacher Charles Dodgson, aka Lewis Carroll; the Dodo, a teacher whose name is based on stammerer Dodgson's own self-mocking nickname; and, because Alice saw Dodgson as her dream hero, the White Knight.

Daniel describes the production as "an imaginative journey". It starts with him, as Dodgson, rowing on to the stage with young Alice Liddell, the daughter of a friend, after which she is transported, via a rabbit hole, to Wonderland.

With its lavish costumes and sets, the show, directed by Rachel Kavanagh, promises to be a hit to build on the RSC's growing reputation for family entertainment in the wake of recent hits, The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe and The Secret Garden.

"It's a feast for the imagination and a celebration of such a wonderful piece of literature that has a real place at the heart of public consciousness," says Daniel of Alice.

"I'm enjoying it immensely. I haven't done anything like this ever.

"I'm particularly enjoying the singing," he adds.

He hopes to bring his children Sam, 13, and Daisy, who at seven is the same age as Alice in the book, up to Stratford to see the show.

He says that if he gets the chance he might even pop over to Evesham to show them where Daddy was born.

Footnote: Daniel's wife Serena Evans even has a family connection to the show.

Her ancestor Sir Arthur Tenniel was the illustrator of the Alice books.

Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass previews at the RST from Friday, November 30.

Tickets can be booked through the theatre's box office on 01789 403403.