THE Theatre Royal in Winchester has announced that its next pantomime will be Aladdin.

The official launch took place last Thursday (May 10) for this winter’s production and tickets are now on sale.

It comes after the successes of Cinderella and Peter Pan, which were big hits at the box office.

Many members of the team behind both of those shows will be working on the new pantomime.

Theatre Royal Director Mark Courtice said: “The pantomime is always a very important show for us, and this will be another in-house production.”

It will be the eighth year running that the theatre has staged its own pantomime, and they have become more complex and eye-catching each year.

Mr Courtice added: “We’re hoping to get most of the cast that have taken part in the previous shows, along with a few new actors as well.”

The line-up of performers will be announced later this year. Auditions are already underway for the child members of the cast, who are drawn from the Winchester area. The first auditions took place yesterday (Sunday, May 13).

Today (Monday, May 14) tickets for the pantomime are going on sale for the first time. The production will run from December 12 to January 6.

It is being backed by the Hampshire Chronicle along with Maxims Boutique in Stockbridge Road.

Maxims’ owner, Rachel James, said: “To be involved with the cultural and creative scene is brilliant, especially as the theatre is such an important part of the community.”

For more details about Aladdin visit theatre-royal-winchester.co.uk or call the box office on 01962 840440.