Around a third of the 24,000 tickets available for the Music Hall’s production of Aladdin have already been snapped-up.

And four of the shows have already sold out.

Cultural Services Manager Lezley Picton said: “We sold more than 98 per cent of the tickets for Wizard of Oz in 2005, and with four performances already sold out we are well on the way to breaking that record with Aladdin.

“This will be the longest-running pantomime we’ve ever staged.”

The show will star soap actress Carly Hillman (pictured above with co-star, Mark Carnell) who played Nicki Di Marco for three years in EastEnders.

She will be playing Princess Jasmine for the 62-performance run.

At yesterday’s panto launch, which took place at the Lion Hotel, she belted out Son Of A Preacher Man to entertain youngsters from St George’s Primary School.

Alongside her will be two pantomime favourites, Phil Haze and Ben Nicholas.

Phil, who will be playing Widow Twanky has a long affinity with Shrewsbury.

He said: “Around 30 years ago I was with my grandad as he was driving this articulated lorry through Shrewsbury. I was only very young, but he felt faint and I had to take the wheel for him and take this huge lorry through the tiny streets.”

He said he was thrilled to be back in the town, especially as his dad was born here.

Ben, who plays Wishee Washee, also has family history in Shropshire.

He said: “I’m sure my grandparents will come up and watch the show and take me round all the old haunts.”

Programme and Marketing Manager Adam Burgan said: “At this stage about one third of tickets have gone so we still have plenty available. In the past few years we’ve ended up turning people away.”

Tickets are available from the box office on (01743) 281281.

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