A Winchester theatre's Christmas pantomime has announced its casting details for this year's performance.

Aladdin will be this year's family pantomime at the Theatre Royal Winchester and opens on December 4 and runs until January 2.

Libby Core will be playing the lead role alongside Julian Eardley as Widow Twankey in his twelfth year as Winchester's pantomime dame and Ed Thorpe will be playing the comic sidekick Wishee Washee.

Joining them will be Ben Tolley as Abanazar, Michaela Bennetts-Higgins as Spirit of the Ring, Rikki Chamberlain as the Genie and Policeman and Rosie Coles as Princess Jasmine.

Rosie has previously played Sapphire in Billionaire Boy in the West End and UK Tour, Fairy Bow Bells in Dick Whittington at Buxton Opera House and Nell in Nell Gwynn at The Courtyard Hereford.

Michaela’s career has seen her performing in Saucy Jack and The Space Vixens in London’s West End and Ben Tolley has appeared at theatres across the country including Salisbury Playhouse, Tobacco Factory and Stephen Joseph Theatre.

Rikki’s career has crossed TV, Film and Theatre from the UK tour of Flashdance to The Comedy of Errors with the Guildford Shakespeare Company.

Aladdin will be produced by the same creative team behind the last few pantomimes at the Theatre Royal with writer, lyricist and director James Barry and composer Simon Slater.

This partnership was nominated for their original musical score for Beauty and the Beast in the Great British Pantomime Awards. James Barry was also nominated for Best Script for Dick Whittington.

For more information and tickets, visit: theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk or call 01962 840 440.