THEATRES across the region have said hiss and boo to the recession by reporting their best pantomime season ever.

The snow and ice also failed to spoil the happy ending, with bosses boasting record audiences and takings.

Among the success stories was Cinderella at the Theatre Royal, in Newcastle.

Almost 80,000 people took their seats to watch the panto, smashing previous box office records.

During the seven-week run, staff calculated that the record audience consumed 2.4 tonnes of ice cream.

Chief executive Philip Bernays said: “This is without a doubt our most successful panto to date and to smash all previous records really is an exceptional achievement.”

The theatre has sold 33,000 tickets for the 2010/11 pantomime Robin Hood.

Another wish came true for bosses at Darlington Civic Theatre where takings for Aladdin – starring former X Factor contestant Chico – were up by more than £58,000 on last year.

The Grand Opera House, in York, said its Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, was also its most successful panto yet.

General manager Lizzie Richards said many performances were sold out.

Former Emmerdale actor Stuart Wade directed the panto for the first time, as well as playing the part of Muddles. The theatre is hoping the actor will return later this year to take part in Cinderella.

The Sunderland Empire said tickets for Peter Pan flew out of the box office window, with revenues up on last year.

Spokesman John Cliff said: “Our audiences certainly still know how to have a good time even with the current economic climate.”

At the York Theatre Royal, Berwick Kaler returned to write, direct and star in his 31st panto. Theatre spokeswoman Rebecca Storey said Humpty Dumpty cracked previous records, adding: “We are always amazed at the commitment the people of Yorkshire have to our pantomime and thank them so much for their support.”

Harrogate Theatre also proved its best times are not behind it with more people than ever turning up to watch Aladdin.