Panto season may have only finished two months ago – but tickets went on sale this week for next year’s production at The Cresset in Peterborough.

This year, the well loved tale The Wizard of Oz will be brought to life by The Cresset’s usual cast of TV faces and theatrical professionals alongside a locally auditioned dance ensemble. It runs from December 11-30.

Last year’s show, Aladdin, was a record breaker for the Bretton venue, with thousands of fun-loving people hopping on the magic carpet ride.

Penny Hansen, commercial support manager for The Cresset, said: “After the runaway success of Aladdin, we wanted to really push the boat out and do something different, and The Wizard of Oz is a title we’ve wanted to do for a while.

“It’s a wonderful story, with some fantastic characters, so we’re all ready to give it the panto treatment, with plenty of song and dance, adventure and magic, and buckets of audience participation.”

Tickets cost £14 for adults, £10.50 for concessions with no price increase from last year on tickets purchased before August 31.

For information and tickets, contact the Cresset box office on 01733 265705 or visit www.cresset.co.uk

Staff at The Cresset have also presented a sizeable donation to Global Radio’s Make Some Noise, the charity supported by radio station Heart FM.

The total of £1,637.67 was raised during the Cresset’s Christmas pantomime Aladdin.

Global’s Make Some Noise is a national charity that helps disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

One of the charities to benefit is Anna’s Hope, dedicated to giving hope to children and young people diagnosed with a brain tumour.

It was inspired by Anna Olivia Hughes, who died from a brain tumour aged three years and eight months. It was set up by Anna’s parents Rob and Carole Hughes and her five Godparents in October 2006.

Carole Hughes said: “It was great fun attending the Aladdin pantomime at the Cresset.

“The Anna’s Hope Fairies enjoyed adding to the fun and are really grateful to the generous members of the audience who very kindly donated into their fairy buckets.

“We also appreciate Heart and its support at this event.”