It’s panto time at the Palace!

With the show already at over 80 per cent sold and with only with three days until the curtain goes up, there’s a lot of activity inside the Palace as the actors and creative staff put the whole show together, rehearsing within almost every room of the building, before moving onto the stage.

As the iconic Queen hit Somebody to Love rings out from the function room where the vocal rehearsals are taking place, the wardrobe ladies are also furiously making adjustments to costumes and wigs and making any repairs to the beautiful clothes that the cast will wear.

As the dancers perfect their routines and rehearse with the children after school, the techies are building sets, setting moving lights and creating a bit of magic themselves on stage, getting everything ready for the whole production to come together before the opening show on Saturday, November 29.

And out of the organised but frantic efforts to get the biggest show of the theatre’s year together, a little bit of calm returns to the backstage area with tones of I See the Light from Disney’s smash hit film, Tangled, beautifully sung in true prince and princess style.

Coronation Street star Vicky Entwistle is playing the Bad Fairy.

The much-loved soap actress, well known for playing loudmouth factory worker Janice Battersby, is very much looking forward to playing the baddie. Vicky said: “I love pantomimes and seem to have a track record for playing villains! It’s about the kids at the end of the day, I love to hear them booing or hissing because getting a reaction is what it’s all about.”

Playing the title role will be Amy Thompson, who is presenter on Channel 5’s morning children’s show, Milkshake!

Joining the battle of good versus evil will be Hollyoaks star Sarah Jane Buckley as The Good Fairy and funnyman Adam Moss as Silly Billy.

Tickets are priced £13.84, £12.81 for concessions and £49.20 for a family of four. All of the above ticket prices include a 2.5 per cent booking fee. To book, call 01623 633133 or book online by visiting www.mansfield.gov.uk/palacetheatre (fees apply).