Are we ready to enjoy a little panto magic this year?  Oh yes we are!

Jamie Marcus Productions Ltd had been entertaining Lincoln with its traditional pantomimes at Lincoln Drill for 14 years until last year its well-loved programme of songs, laughs and visual spectacle was interrupted by the pandemic and the closure of the venue.

But this year it’s absolutely delighted to be back with “all you could ever wish for in a panto” and the cast and crew of Aladdin are excitedly preparing to bring some much-needed magic to the city.

Complete with a flying carpet ready to whisk Aladdin and Princess Jasmine away to their “whole new world”, the show will run from Saturday, December 11th to Sunday, January 2nd, at the Free School Lane venue and its audiences will be among the first to experience the facilities of the recently refurbished arts centre under its new management, Lincoln College Group.

Back by popular demand is everyone’s favourite Dame, James Campbell, as Aladdin’s long-suffering mother Widow Twankey.  So families can once again expect his usual brand of outrageous costumes, hilarious gags and gravity defying wigs as part of the show’s familiar faces, dazzling costumes, fantastic scenery and breath-taking special effects.

Joining James in this year’s show is a face movie fans will be familiar with too – former Lincoln College student Craig Garner is returning to the city where his acting career began to feature as the evil wizard Abanazer.  Whilst he’s since appeared in blockbuster films including Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Pokemon, and Snow White & The Huntsman and is currently filming a new Marvel film for Disney, it was pantomime that first ignited Craig’s love of acting –  he saw one as a young child and decided that’s what he wanted to do – and he’s thrilled to be back.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be back working with Jamie Marcus Productions Ltd where it all started with them years ago,” Craig said. “It’s all come full circle!  And to be playing one of my favourite baddies of all time, Abanazer, is just a wish come true! The Drill’s panto is fantastic so come along and have a sing, a dance and a great laugh with us all this Christmas!”

Tickets start from £16 with a family ticket starting from £66 and are available from www.lincolnsbestpanto.co.uk