Panto brings bumper year for ticket sales

Cinderella proved to be a massive hit at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre over the festive season.

Hundreds more tickets were sold for the show compared to the 2013 pantomime Sleeping Beauty.

Bosses said just over 16,500 tickets for the critically acclaimed rock and roll panto had been sold. That is 200 more than Sleeping Beauty and 2,200 more than Dick Whittington in 2011.

Forty-eight Cinderella shows were performed at the theatre over Christmas and into the New Year.

Producer and artistic programme manager Derrick Gask said: "I would like to thank everyone who chose to spend the festive season with us and supported Cinderella.

"We are extremely proud to produce such a unique style of panto."

The talented cast of just 10 singing, dancing and instrument playing actors wowed delighted crowds with their energetic and enthralling interpretation of the fantasy favourite.

The panto featured hits from The Temptations, The Jackson 5 and The Blues Brothers. The show was directed by Paulette Randall – an associate director for the 2012 London Olympics' opening ceremony.

Councillor Mike Smith, cabinet member for leisure at Stafford Borough Council, added: "This was a brilliant production by our Gatehouse Theatre and was even recommended in some sections of the national media as the 'must see' panto of the year."

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre recently announced that the next rock and roll panto will be Jack and the Beanstalk, running from December 10 to January 10, 2016.

Tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk went on sale on Saturday.