Theatre bosses today said they hoped to attract 40,000 people to see this winter’s pantomime production in Shrewsbury – as they vowed it would be the best the town has ever hosted.

Peter Nicholson, theatre manager for Theatre Severn, said he hoped the show would outstrip previous attendance records when it arrives in the town for a run from December 1 to January 8.

Last winter’s production of Cinderella brought in 31,000 people to the theatre but Mr Nicholson said he was confident the record could be broken.

“We are aiming for 40,000. Because I’m confident of this year’s panto being the best we have ever seen in Shrewsbury, we have added an extra week to the performance,” he said.

His comments came as cast and crew members from the show enjoyed a ride down the River Severn in Shrewsbury in the Sabrina boat yesterday

This year’s pantomime has been written and produced by Shropshire TV personality Paul Hendy, who made his name on shows such as Wheel of Fortune and Don’t Try This At Home.

Mr Hendy, who has been running his own pantomime company Evolution Productions with his wife Emily Wood since 2005, said Mr Nicholson and himself had made a conscious decision not to cast big names and instead focus on finding talented performers.

“We want to make this the best pantomime not just Shropshire but the West Midlands has ever seen,” he said.

“Ever since we started producing it has been a real ambition of mine to produce in Shrewsbury. I want to do the biggest, best and most spectacular show Shropshire has ever seen.

“We didn’t go for star names. That is a brave decision but so good and so heartening. In the world we live in, we have a lot based on celebrity culture.

“But what we have gone for is talent. We haven’t cast someone just because they are off the telly.”

Brad Fitt, who will be directing the show as well as playing the part of Widow Twankey, said he was looking forward to entertaining audiences in Shrewsbury.

“I’m very excited about the show, it’s always nice to come to new places and the theatre is beautiful,” he said.

“Our audiences can look forward to great story lines, bid numbers and a really good quality production.”

Rehearsals are due to start in late November, with tickets for the pantomime on sale now.

For tickets call the box office on (01743) 281281 or visit the theatre website here.

By Chris Burn