Pickering Pantomime is on track to beat all records as a team of over 100 prepare for this year's performance.

Pickering Musical Society are in the final days of rehearsals for their upcoming pantomime Aladdin. This year's show is once again directed by the society's very own Luke Arnold and promises to be another spectacular production.

Following the success of their pantomime last year, Jack & The Beanstalk, Pickering Musical Society have added extra performances to their production run this year.

Join Aladdin on a magical quest from humble beginnings to riches beyond his wildest dreams! With a magical lamp, the help of a trusty genie and magical wishes, only he can take on his evil uncle Abanazar! Can he conquer the magical cave and who will win the heart of the princess in the most spellbinding battle of good versus evil!?

This year's cast features Pickering Panto favourites such as Marcus Burnside and Stephen Temple as Widow Twankey and her simple son Wishee Washee. Other pantomime regulars are Danielle Long as Aladdin and Courtney Brown as the Princess Lotus Blossom, who are once again reunited as the principal boy and girl, while Paula Paylor and Rachel Anderson play comedic double act Minnie Wong and Winnie Wong . Relative newbie to the society John Brooks reprises his role as the evil villain this year playing Abanazar.

The production is supported by a large chorus of members of the society, along with students from the Sarah Louise Ashworth School of Dance and, as always, accompanied by a live band directed by the society's resident Musical Director, Clive Wass.

Director Luke Arnold said: “Last year's pantomime broke all box office records and was a real high watermark for us. This year we took the decision to add an extra performance to our production run and amazingly, with the support we have received already, we are once again on track to beat last year's record! With a combined cast and production team of over 100 local people, it really has been a joy to direct and audiences can be assured of a fantastic fun filled performance.”

Aladdin runs at the Kirk Theatre, Pickering from Thursday, 18 to Sunday 28, January 28, with matinee performances on the Saturdays and Sundays at 2.15pm and evenings from 7.15pm. Tickets are priced from £13 and are available online www.kirktheatre.co.uk or via the theatre Box Office on 01751 474833.