THE Dukes audiences are in for a real royal treat as it stages the first new version of Sally Cookson and Adam Peck’s Cinderella since its initial award-winning production in Bristol eight years ago.

Running at the Lancaster theatre until January 11, Cinderella: A Fairytale is directed by Sarah Punshon: “I saw the original production and thought it was brilliant, so clever and so funny,” explained Sarah. "I’m excited to take such a fantastic script and make our own uniquely Dukes version."

The Dukes is asking people to Pay It Forward when booking for the show and buy an extra ticket which will be given to those who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to go.

Karen O’Neill, director of The Dukes, said: “For lots of us, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a trip to the theatre but for many people that special trip just isn’t possible.

“Our new campaign asks people to spend a little extra to buy a ticket for someone in Lancaster or Morecambe who wouldn’t otherwise be able to see a Christmas show.”

The cast includes Heysham’s Helen Longworth who returns to the cast for her third consecutive Christmas. Helen is based in Heysham and appeared as Widow Twankey in The Dukes production of Aladdin in 2017 and as Captain Hook in Peter Pan last year. She plays Hannah Riley in The Archers on BBC BBC Radio Four and is due to appear in Coronation Street.

With original music and dance routines spanning the 1940s to the 1960s, plus fantastic puppets, Cinderella has all the ingredients of a fabulous family show.

Riana Duce plays Ella, Craig Anderson, is her stepbrother, and Michael Hugo takes the role of the Stepmother. Egyptian-born Waleed Hammad, who plays the Prince, appeared in the National Theatre’s award-winning production of Anthony and Cleopatra starring Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo last year.

Trees from Sizergh Castle, near Kendal, feature in the set for this year’s show created by the team behind The Dukes 2018 Christmas production of Peter Pan, which was enjoyed by more than 11,000 people.

Box office 01524-598500 or visit www.dukes-lancaster.org.