THE Grand Opera House York's 'biggest ever panto' has taken to the stage,

Aladdin, starring Suzanne Shaw as the Princess Jasmine, Paul Sinha in the role of Abanazar, Debbie McGee, Carl Tracey, Frazer Hines as The Emperor and Stuart Wade as Wishee Washee is at the theatre until Sunday, January 1.

New producer's Three Bears Productions, are billing Aladdin as “York’s biggest ever panto”, with Chris Moreno, Stuart Wade and Russ Spencer’s show promises “spectacular 3D” special effects.”

Suzanne, rose to fame by winning the TV talent contest Popstars in 2001 and securing a place in the group Hear’Say, achieving four top ten singles, including two number ones.

She said: “Three Bears Productions approached my agent and asked if I’d like to be in panto in York this Christmas and I thought ‘Why not'.. My mum lives in Bridlington, a bit of a trek, but I’ll be there for Christmas and it gives me all sorts of opportunities."

She is a pantomime regular, but will be breaking new ground in York.

Suzanne said: "“I’ve been all over the country, generally playing Cinderella but also the Genie in Aladdin thee or four years ago in Richmond]and I was Fairy Godmother, so this is a new role for me this time as I’ve never done Princess Jasmine before,” she says.

Aladdin will be Suzanne’s 11th pantomime.

“Panto is totally different from other stage shows. It has a unique style: the direction has to be very specific, the acting is very straight on to the audience, which is very difficult when you’re trying to have a dialogue with your love interest but you can’t keep it intimate," she added.

" But the naffer it is, the better it is; the more energy you have, the better it looks; the bigger it is, the more enjoyable it is for everyone.”

Suzanne will have her children with her during her time in York. “My routine will be doing the shows and going ‘home’ to my boys,” she said.

Joining Suzanne in Aladdin will be Carl Tracey, from Nick Jr’s Go! Go! Go!, where he is “the yellow one with the hat”. He will be playing Aladdin, a role that requires him to keep in trim.

“It’s going to be harder over Christmas when the food is so good,” he said. “It will be difficult but I’m in training for the London Marathon next year.”

Three Bears Productions presents Aladdin at the Grand Opera House, York,o January 1, 2017.

Tickets are available by phoning 0844 871 3024 or go to www.atgtickets.com/york