Christmas came early to Loughborough Town Hall with the arrival on Monday of the talented cast to launch the venue’s spectacular new production of the pantomime Cinderella. After the phenomenal commercial and critical success of last year’s Beauty and the Beast, which was attended by almost 30,000 people, Cinderella is hotly anticipated, opening on 27 November for a 6 week run.

Irrepressible star Martin Ballard, of BBC Radio Leicester, returns for his twelfth Town Hall panto, playing the hideously hilarious Ugly Sister Halitosia. Martin is joined by Pablo Raybould as his horrible sibling Odderia, guaranteeing mischief and mayhem. Pablo is thrilled to be tackling a rather less attractive role than last year, when he appeared as Beauty’s lovable and kind father. Together the terrible duo will create comedy chaos as they plot to capture the Prince’s heart.

Rival to the Ugly Sister’s matrimonial plans is West End musical star Alice Mogg as delightful heroine Cinderella, partnered by her feisty Prince Charming Emily Latham, who last appeared at the Town Hall two years ago in the title role in Aladdin. Newcomer Charlie Guest plays the hapless Buttons and Laura Selwood, fresh from her role in the Take That musical Never Forget, will be weaving magic as the Fairy Godmother. The Prince’s confidant Dandini is played by Sally Peerless, who was recently in BBC Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood’s production of Copacabana. The cast is completed by Midlands’ actor David Gilbrook as Cinder’s hen-pecked father Baron Hardup.

The show is once again produced by Imagine Theatre and directed by Neil Bull, responsible for last year’s smash hit Beauty and the Beast. Neil brings a wealth of experience both as director and a performer in many previous Town Hall pantos.

Cinderella is sure to be another cracker for the whole family to enjoy, filled with fun, romance, laughter, daring princes, flying coaches, magic spells and nasty ugly sisters. Tickets are selling fast, so book now to ensure your seats. Cinderella runs from 27 November to 9 January. Tickets are from £6.50-£13.50, depending on date and performance time