MODERN day Grimsby provides the setting for the timeless fairytale of Cinderella in this year's Christmas Pantomime.
Cinderella goes shopping in Freshney Place, Prince Charming is chided for the amount of time he's been spending in Scunthorpe, and the Ugly Sisters dream of getting their faces in the pages of Hello Magazine, or even the Grimsby Telegraph.
The big event everyone wants to be at is the Royal Hunt, which can easily be imagined taking place on the Brocklesby Estate.
Fittingly for a year which has seen two performers from our area shine on the country's top TV talent show, there is also a nod to the X Factor – with the two Ugly Sisters being named Nicole and Tulisa.
And believe me, ugly is something of an understatement. Paul Deakin and James McLean are positively grotesque and outrageously entertaining as the repulsive siblings who make poor Cinderella's life a misery.
TV's Queen Of Clean Kim Woodburn also excels as the delightfully evil Wicked Stepmother, and Mark Pearce does his best impression of a hyperactive TV presenter as the hapless Buttons, proving a big hit with the audience.
The singing of Tara Wells, as Cinderella, is a particular highlight, as are the performances of the troupe of young dancers.
All in all, there is plenty for the family to enjoy – and with a mix of loathsome and loveable characters on stage, there should be no shortage of laughter and boos ringing around the Auditorium.
Cinderella is being performed at the Grimsby Auditorium from today until Wednesday, December 26. Tickets cost £16 for adults and £12.50 for children and concessions. Family tickets, for two adults and two children, are available for £52.
Tickets are also available for £12 per person for a group of ten and £10 per person for a group of £9.50. The rate for school groups is £9.50 per person with one teacher free with every ten children.
Tickets can be booked by calling 0844 871 3016 or by visiting www.atgtickets.com/grimsbyauditorium.co.uk
See more about Christmas events in Grimsby and northern Lincolnshire
