THE Torch Theatre Company has started rehearsals for this year’s Christmas pantomime, Cinderella.

The county’s school children are getting a sneak peak of the fairytale, before the show opens to the public on December 20.

In the Torch’s adaptation, Baron Hardup has brought his new wife, Cecily Golddigger, and her two daughters, Eugiene and Hygiene, to live at Hardup Hall. These ‘ladies' certainly turn a few heads - and a few stomachs - as they treat poor Cinders like a servant. She has to iron their dresses, run their baths, polish their jewellery and wash their underwear - she even has to warm up the toilet seat for them! But with the arrival of the Fairy Godmother on a scooter with a noisy hooter, maybe there’s a chance that Cinderella will get a ticket to the Prince’s Ball after all.

The Torch’s annual pantomime is a much loved festive treat for audiences in Pembrokeshire and beyond – last year’s show Aladdin, praised by audiences and critics alike for its charm, wit and warmth, broke box office records, and the team at The Torch are hoping for the same great reaction this year. Artistic Director of the Torch and co-director of Cinderella, Peter Doran, said: “Panto season is always great fun - the whole theatre comes alive - but when you're doing Cinderella, there always seems to be a bit of added sparkle! Of all the pantos it has the strongest narrative, the ultimate rags to riches fairy tale - how can you do anything but fall in love with it!”

Directed by Peter Doran and director / composer James Williams, Cinderella will star: Torch Theatre Company favourites Dion Davies and Liam Tobin as the Ugly Sisters and Oliver Wood as Buttons; Vikki Bebb in the title role, who graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama last year; Sophie Melville, fresh from playing Juliet in Sherman Cymru’s Romeo & Juliet; as well as Sam Bees as the Prince and Emma Hirons as the Fairy Godmother.

Cinderella runs at The Torch Theatre until January 3 (performance times vary, please check the website for full schedule). Tickets are available on the website www.torchtheatre.co.uk or from the box office on 01646 695267.

Tickets cost £16.50, concessions £14, family ticket £50.