Panto stars to sprinkle stardust

The Grand Theatre today revealed that next year's pantomime will be Peter Pan – as the stars of this year's show took to the stage for the very first time.

More than 50,000 of the 75,000 tickets allocated have already been sold for Dick Whittington, which stars TV favourites Leslie Grantham, Sam Kane and The Krankies. Today's 2.30pm matinee kicks off a seven-week run for the cast, which also includes CBBC's Dani Harper, who plays children's favourite Tracy Beaker.

Producer Michael Harrison said: "The cast at Wolverhampton this year is brilliant. You know just by looking at the names the show is going to be great."

Theatre marketing manager Iain Watkins added: "The rehearsals have been going very well. It's a great show."

He added that next year's show had already been confirmed as Peter Pan.

Sam Kane, who is playing the lead this year, said his wife, Emmerdale star Linda Lusardi, would be coming to Wolverhampton to watch him in action.

He added: "It's great to be back. I'm really looking forward to the show, especially as the theatre has been completely refurbished."

The Krankies, alias husband and wife team Ian and Janette Tough, will be making audiences laugh in their roles as the Captain and his Mate.

"The audiences here have such a fantastic sense of humour," said Ian. "The last time we were at the Grand was for Aladdin in 1991 and we are very excited about seeing the new theatre after its big revamp. The show will be fan-dabby-dozy."

Leslie Grantham, best known as Dirty Den in Eastenders, will be playing the villain of the piece, Dirty Rat. Dani is starring as The Spirit of the Bells.

For tickets, call the box office on 01902 429212 or log on to the website at www.grandtheatre.co.uk