THE VICTORIA Theatre in Halifax promises a spectacular family panto this year in the shape of Cinderella.

The cast is headed by Halifax star Neil Hurst who is back to play Buttons.

One of the dastardly Ugly Sisters is played by Steve Fortune, who returns for his second year as Dame, and the other by musical theatre star Tim Churchill.

There will also be some well known local performers, including Ann Micklethwaite as the magical Fairy Godmother and Daniel Coll as Baron Hardup.

Ann hit the local headlines last year when she had to complete the run of Jack And The Beanstalk with her arm in plaster, having broken it slipping on ice on the opening night.

She said: “I have been told I am being wrapped in bubble wrap this year.

“I got a lot of support from the cast, crew and team at Victoria Theatre but also a lot of jokes at my expense – not surprisingly most were from Neil Hurst!”

Halifax born Daniel Coll will be returning to the venue in which he started his career when he plays Baron Hardup in his first panto for producers Imagine Theatre.

Although Daniel’s theatre and television work has taken him all over the country he still lives in West Yorkshire.

He said: “What is better than doing panto in your home town at Christmas?”

The title role of Cinderella will be played by Newcastle’s Carly Burns who has just finished appearing in the critically-acclaimed Tommy at the Greenwich Theatre. This will be Carly’s first lead role in a professional pantomime.

Also joining the cast are Claire Trusson and Katherine Lunney as Prince Charming and ‘his’ right hand ‘man’, Dandini.

Claire played the role of Prince Charming in Reading last year and is delighted to have been invited to reprise it in Halifax this Christmas.

She said: “I love playing principal boy, all that strutting around and thigh slapping is great fun!”

Cinderella runs from Saturday December 12 to Sunday, January 3. Visit victoriatheatre.co.uk or call 01422 349422 to book tickets.