DAVID Leonard, perennial pantomime villain of York Theatre Royal, will return there next month in the English stage premiere of Kate Atkinson's Abandonment.

Panto baddie in 15 shows since 1984, Leonard will trade in his trademark skin-tight leather suits and hip-swivelling moves to play the roles of Merric and Alex in Atkinson's intriguing comic drama from April 4 to 26.

"I'm really delighted to be back in York," says David, who began rehearsals under artistic director Damian Cruden at the Walmgate rehearsal studios this Monday. "I'm a big fan of Kate Atkinson's work and am really looking forward to working on Abandonment."

David may be best known in York for his slinky dark arts in pantomime - last Christmas he played the Sheriff of Rottingham in Babbies In The Wood - but he has appeared at the Theatre Royal in other repertory productions too. These include Jesus Christ Superstar; The Elephant Man; Noel Coward's Private Lives; The Way Of The World; William Shakespeare's history plays The War Of The Roses, most notably as Richard III; and Alan Ayckbourn's Man Of The Moment, his most recent non-panto turn in York in June 1998.

Abandonment was premiered at the Edinburgh Festival in Summer 2000, and now forms the Theatre Royal's second Kate Atkinson production. Her first, Behind The Scenes At The Museum in October 2000, was inspired by her time living in York.

In Abandonment, divorced Elizabeth wants to be left alone to get on with her new life and homemaking. Her interfering mother, sister, best friend and even the builder seem determined to haunt her every waking moment. As if that were not enough, her newly renovated Victorian house possesses more troublesome characteristics than mere dry rot and creaky floorboards, as long-forgotten stories and former inhabitants try to make their presence felt.

David Leonard will be joined in Cruden's cast by Joan Campion, in the roles of Enid and Lavender; Caroline Gruber, Susie and Gertie; Catherine Hamilton, Agnes; Katerina Jugati, Kitty and Laetitia; Julie Teal, Elizabeth; and Marcello Walton, Jim and Scobie. The designer is Dawn Allsopp; the lighting designer, Richard G Jones.

For tickets for Abandonment, ring 01904 623568.

Updated: 09:34 Friday, March 14, 2003