VIDEO: Aladdin at the Civic

The annual panto, which runs from December 3 to January 11, stars quiz champion Mark “The Beast” Labbett, Britain’s Got Talent’s Ricky K and Rotherham’s own Alex Hans, plus Mark Hudson as Widow Twankey and a special treat in a live band.

Playing the part of Princess Jasmine in this year’s production, Rotherham girl Alex has worked in Marbella, Tenerife, and on cruise ships before landing the job as Aladdin’s love interest.

But it was the draw of being with her family for Christmas that made the panto offer too good to turn down. She said: “Because I’ve been away working for so many Christmases on contracts, it was nice when the Rotherham panto came up and I got the part because I can finally have the festive period with my family.

“This is my first panto and I’m very excited. Everyone I know who has done it has said how much I am going to love it.

“Mark Labbett seems lovely. I met him for the first time at the press day and there was a really good atmosphere. I already knew Ricky K (Aladdin). He used to come out to the hotels I worked in to do his act.”

Aladdin is at Rotherham Civic from December 3 to January 11 and tickets are available on 01709 823621 or online at www.rotherhamtheatres.co.uk