THE curtain has been raised on an annual family pantomime in north Durham today. (Friday December, 5)

Aladdin, written and directed by Leah Bell, runs at The Empire Theatre in Consett until New Years Eve.

Harriet Povey stars as Princess Jasmine with David John Hopper as The Genie, urban dance duo Bionik Funk as the Royal Guardsmen and Lee Brannigan as Widow Twankey.

Aladdin is played by Jordan Todd, who just completed a three year course at Italia Conti School of Performing Arts in London where he won the ‘Student of the Year Musical Theatre Award’.

Ms Bell, who also stars in the pantomime herself, in the role of Frannie the Fortune Teller, said: “I’m incredibly excited about performing Aladdin this year at the Empire, particularly after we received such great feedback last year.”

“I love the fact that everyone in our pantomime team is truly excited about appearing in our production.

“We’ve already sold thousands of tickets so it’s well on its way to being another huge hit.”

Tickets are priced at £14 full and £12 for concessions. Discounts for schools, groups and families are available. Call 01207-218 171 or book online at www.leisureworks.net.