Theatre bosses in Shropshire have added eight extra shows to next year’s pantomime after selling 2,000 advance tickets.

Audiences have been falling over themselves to snap up tickets for next pantomime season at Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn.This year’s pantomime Peter Pan at the flagship venue has not yet finished its run but tickets for next year’s show of Cinderella are already being snapped up by theatre goers keen not to miss out.

Peter Nicholson, theatre manager, said he was delighted with the strong ticket sales for pantomimes this year and next year.

He said: “Tickets have gone on sale for next year’s production and we’ve already taken 2,000 reservations.

“We’ve extended the run with eight extra shows next year to accommodate people.

“We’ve had to turn schools away this year.

“At this stage the schools are only just breaking up so it’s just amazing that they are booking already.”

This year’s show started its run on December 8 and will finish on January 3.

Mr Nicholson said despite the recession, 96 per cent of tickets had already been sold for Peter Pan.

He added: “In a recession it’s astonishing. I am the envy of theatre managers throughout the country.”

The news comes at the end of a successful year for Theatre Severn.

Earlier this month it emerged Theatre Severn had generated £400,000 more than expected in revenue for it’s first year.

Shropshire Council resources director Laura Rowley told a local joint committee meeting how well the theatre was doing.

She said although it operates on a not-for-profit basis, its performance had exceeded expectations as audiences from around the region flock to Shrewsbury to sample its facilities. Peter Pan, which is based on the book by J.M. Barrie and adapted by John F. Spillers, stars Emmerdale’s Matt Healy as Captain Hook.

Cinderella is due to hit the stage from December 7, 2010, until January 2, 2011.

Tickets for Peter Pan are £12.50 or £10.50 concessions. Call (01743) 281281.