It may only be April, but a deal has been struck to bring a professional pantomime company to Tendring this winter with a bumper 22 shows on offer.

A company has been signed up by Tendring District Council (TDC) with shows running from December 19, 2009, through to December 31, 2009.

There will also be a number of places up for grabs for talented youngsters from the District to take their place on the stage with the professionals.

Mad About Productions, which is based in Lincolnshire, will be putting on the magical Christmas pantomime 'Beauty and the Beast' at the Council-run Princes Theatre and it will include shows on Boxing Day and New Year's Eve for the first time.

Pierre Oxley, Portfolio Holder for Leisure at TDC, said the Council was delighted to be able to offer a professional company with more dates than ever for this December.

"Last year the Pantomime had six shows and this time we will have 22," he said.

"This is a huge increase and hopefully it will bring more people into the town over that period. Some may want to have a meal in Clacton before or after the show and some will spend in our shops and help boost the local economy."

Cllr Oxley said that he was also pleased that talented youngsters from the District will get the opportunity to work with professionals and enhance their stage experience.

"There will be three sets of six juniors and two sets of seniors who will be included in the show in rotation and it will be a great chance for them to widen their horizons," he added.

"Many of our young people have gone on to appear in West End productions having started out on the amateur stage in Clacton and this can only help to improve their chances of doing just that in the future."

Lee Pugh, TDC's Theatre and Entertainments Manager, said that Mad About Productions had an excellent reputation and is involved in putting on pantomimes all over the country.

"It will be a new venture for the Princes to put on so many shows - both before and after Christmas," he said.

"Mad About Productions, who were nominated in 2008 for the UK Producer Of The Year, is working on the pantomime in association with Chris Moreno whose productions last year included Hello Dolly starring Anita Dobson and Darren Day, and who is one of the UK's foremost pantomime producers and I am sure the shows will prove very popular."

Open auditions for the junior and senior roles will be held at the Princes Theatre in September for young people from across the District to attend.

Mr Pugh said the change was all part of the plan to develop the Princes Theatre and to continue to bring high profile acts to Clacton.

Tickets are already on sale and anyone buying them before July 31 will receive discounted prices.

There will be premium and standard rate dates and anyone wanting further information should contact 01255 686633 or call into the box office in the Clacton Tourist Information Office in Clacton Town Hall.

15/4/09

Find out What's On at the Princes Theatre