WITH another week to go before Cinderella opens at Theatre Royal Winchester on Tuesday 6 December tickets are selling even faster than last year’s record breaking pantomime.

Already set to be a huge success, this year’s traditional production features live ponies for the first time.

The creative team is the same that brought Theatre Royal audiences last year’s near sell-out Jack And The Beanstalk. Written and directed by James Barry, there are songs and music by Simon Slater who has been receiving rave reviews for his additional music in the National Theatre’s production of Amadeus.

Some of the cast are also returning, including Julian Eardley as one of the Ugly Sisters, Andy Medhurst as Buttons, Rosanna Miles as Baroness Hardup and Winchester-born Bryn Lucas as Prince Charming.

New to Theatre Royal Winchester pantomimes are Bronte Tadman as Cinderella, Emily Stranghan as the Fairy Godmother and Nicole Bird as Dandini, reviving the panto tradition of a woman playing a man. Under the makeup and frock of the other Ugly Sister is Richard Gibson who played Herr Flick in `Allo `Allo! for ten years.

This year’s run includes a signed performance, a touch tour and two relaxed performances which for the first time will be dementia friendly.

The sponsors of Cinderella are The Brooks Shopping, Sarah Barrett hairdressers and Hampshire Chronicle.

Cinderella at Theatre Royal Winchester runs from 6 December until 2 January. A number of performances are sold out but there are still tickets available from theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk and 01962 840 440.