A HOME-PRODUCED pantomime has become the most successful in-house work staged at a city’s theatre.

The curtain came down on the 34-day run of Dick Whittington at Durham’s Gala Theatre, on Sunday.

It achieving critical and audience acclaim, becoming the most financially successful in-house work staged at the eight-year-old Gala.

Theatre director, Simon Stallworthy, who wrote and directed the production, said: "Two years ago when we took the decision to bring our pantomime in-house we had no idea how it would fare.

"I’m delighted Dick Whittington has continued the trend that Aladdin started last year, and panto is now thriving at Gala."

Early arrangements have already been made for the Christmas/New Year run of 2010/11.

It will be another traditional panto favourite, Cinderella, with several hundred tickets already said to have been sold, 11-months in advance.

The theatre has confirmed it will welcome back Donald McBride, from nearby Fencehouses, as one of the ugly sisters. He played Sarah the Cook, in ‘Dick’.

The Gala hopes to make further announcements over other familiar faces who will soon be added to the cast list.

Mr Stallworthy said the panto experience and rapport has grown among Gala audiences in recent years.

"We’ve developed the relationship with our audience over the last couple of years and they know they’ll get a high quality show at affordable prices.

"We hope that Cinderella will deliver even more, and we promise magical and spectacular scenery, incredible transformation scenes and maybe even some live animals."

Cinderella will open at the Gala Theatre on December 1, running until January 8, 2011.

Tickets, which will remain at 2009 prices, are on sale now.

Bookings can be made via www.galadurham.co.uk, or with the box office, on 0191-332 4041.