Joanne Jarvis got a taste for the Far East when she attended the launch party of Aladdin at Cambridge Arts Theatre Not only can you expect lots of colour, sparkle, songs and dancing, you can rest assured that their will be some truly awful jokes in true

Joanne Jarvis got a taste for the Far East when she attended the launch party of Aladdin at Cambridge Arts Theatre

Not only can you expect lots of colour, sparkle, songs and dancing, you can rest assured that their will be some truly awful jokes in true panto style such as, what's a ghost's favourite Christmas entertainment? A phantomime!

Julie Buckfield (Aladdin), Michael Fenton Stevens (Widow Twankey) and Matt Crosby (Wishee Washee) are at the Arts Theatre from December 8 -January 14.

Director Brad Scott, who is currently working on a new production of Rent in the West End, said: "People can expect a very traditional and funny pantomime."

Mr Scott who has worked with Christopher Biggins for the past six years, is returning to the Arts Theatre for the third year running.

"It gets better every year because we know the theatre and we know what people in Cambridge like," he said.

The panto takes up to a year to organise, but the actors, including 21 youngsters who were awarded parts following open auditions, have just three weeks to rehearse.

Dave Murphy, the theatre's executive director and producer of Aladdin, said: "The whole crew are outstanding and they really know how to make a pantomime rock."

Sarah Thwaites of Ashwell Property Group, sponsors of the panto, said: "The colour and spectacle of a pantomime is something special and personal to us all and the passion and dedication that Dave Murphy has for theatre is supported by his whole team."

For tickets which range from £10-£25 call the Box Office on 01223 503333 or book online at www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

Panto factfile

- The cast will sing 756 songs over the course of the run

- 500 metres of timber and 100 litres of paint are required to build the set

- 8,000 square metres of fabric will be used for costumes - larger than the average football pitch

- 45 metres of fairy lights are used

- During its five-week run Aladdin will be performed more than 60 times, and be seen by about 32,000 people