BOSSES hope this year’s pantomime at a North-East theatre will break last year’s record audience numbers.

Last winter’s pantomime at the Gala Theatre, in Durham, attracted more than 27,000 people – making it the most successful to date.

This year’s, Sleeping Beauty, is again written and directed by Simon Stallworthy, the venue’s former director.

He said: “I’m delighted to be back at Gala for what is shaping up to be the funniest, brightest, most spectacular pantomime the theatre has ever produced.”

The shows stars Neil Armstrong as Wizard Scorchard, Paul Hartley as Silly Billy and Steve Fortune as the pantomime dame.

There will be shows from Thursday, November 29, to Saturday, January 5. Tickets are priced from £6.50. To book, call 0191-3324041 or visit galadurham.co.uk