THE Courtyard in Hereford is celebrating the most successful pantomime season to date, with over 22,000 people visiting the arts centre to watch Aladdin throughout its recent six week run.

And the team is already looking forward to the next panto for the 2017 festive season, and this will be Sleeping Beauty, launching in November.

A spokesman said: "Throughout its seventy-one shows, Aladdin has received brilliant feedback including five-star reviews.

"Audiences from the performances also helped to raise £12,000 through bucket collections for The Courtyard’s Christmas Appeal which will be divided between The Courtyard and pantomime Charity Partner Herefordshire Community Foundation."

The spokesman added: "This year’s pantomime was also made accessible to all with an audio described and a signed performance of the production. This year’s Relaxed Performance, which was adapted to particularly suit individuals with autism spectrum conditions, learning difficulties or sensory and communication difficulties was The Courtyard’s most successful to date with nearly two hundred people attending."

As families from across the region came to watch Aladdin and Princess Mo-Li fall in love, a real life love story also played out on stage when audience member Andrew Berry proposed to his girlfriend on stage with the assistance of Widow Twankey.

Ian Archer, Chief Executive and Artistic Director says: “Our wishes have certainly been granted with the success of Aladdin, a production which has been full of magical moments. It has been fantastic to see the building filled with so many people enjoying the festive season.”

Tickets are already on sale for the next pantomime, Sleeping Beauty. Sleeping Beauty will be in the Main House from Saturday November 25 to Saturday January 6.

Tickets on, 01432 340555 or visit - www.courtyard.org.uk