South Shields annual panto tickets rush

That figure - for Jack and Beanstalk - has been achieved a week quicker than last year, with several performances already virtually sold out.

“It’s great news and quite humbling in a way,” said Customs House executive director Ray Spencer, who is once again starring in and directing the show.

Ray also co-wrote the panto with long-time collaborator Graeme Thompson.

He said: “We can’t wait to get in front of an audience, and it’s thrilling to hear so many tickets have already been sold. We never take our audience for granted and are so grateful for the loyalty of so many panto fans who return year after year to see our show.

“Jack and the Beanstalk is a traditional pantomime, but we’re keeping it fresh with some great modern touches which I’m sure our audiences will love.”

He added: “We’ve long been known as ‘the little panto with the big heart,’ but this year we’ll be the little panto with the giant heart.” Ray will be returning as the Dame, while panto regulars Luke Maddison (Jack) and Steven Lee Hamilton (Fleshcreep) will also also have audiences laughing and singing along.

Ray added: “More than 25,000 people came to see Alice in Wonderland last year and both the critics and audiences loved the show.

“So we have a lot to do to match last year’s success.

Jack and the Beanstalk, sponsored by Hays Travel, is on from November 29, to January 7.

Tickets start from £9.75 and are available from the box office on 0191 454 1234 or by logging on to the new website at www.customshouse.co.uk