FANS of that seasonal treat, the traditional pantomime, are being handed a double header this year at Henley. The Kenton Theatre is staging two of the festive shows over the Christmas and New Year period, one a professional production and the other an amateur show featuring talented local children.

Following the success of its first professional panto last year, the Kenton is playing host to another in the shape of everyone’s favourite Arabian Nights adventure, Aladdin.

Bringing the story to life in traditional panto style with lots of opportunity for audience participation will be a glamorous Widow Twankey, a dazzling Princess Jasmine and a cheeky Aladdin, with help from their friends and a little less assistance from the evil Abanazer (all together now, ‘Boo, hiss’). Two of the stars of last year’s Cinderella show that won audience hearts will be returning — James Clifford, who played Buttons, in the title role of Aladdin, and Rochelle Parry, who played Cinderella, will be the Genie of the Lamp.

And joining them in the cast is Philip Anthony, an actor who has worked with the legendary figures of Laurence Olivier and Orson Welles, who will be playing the Emperor.

Director Heather Simpkin said: “Aladdin is a lovely family show for everyone to enjoy together in a wonderfully intimate theatre where no one is too far from the action.”

Tickets have already gone on sale for Aladdin which will see 13 performances between December 19 and 28, with none of them starting later than 5.30pm.

There are also two 11am shows aimed at parents with younger children. The ticket prices are adult £18, friend, senior citizen and student £15, child £12, and a family ticket, which includes two adults and two children, £52. The front row is available as a sponsorship package with a range of extras and the chance to become part of the on-stage action on the night.

For sponsorship inquiries, contact publicity@kentontheatre.co.uk After the cast of Aladdin has taken its final bow for the season, the Henley Children’s Theatre Group will be taking over the Kenton’s stage for its pantomime offering, Dick Whittington, from Monday, December 30, to Sunday, January 5. The group has been entertaining local people with its annual pantos for more than 40 years.

With a witty script by Mike Hurst, telling the tale of rags to riches and courage in adversity, combined with the energy and enthusiasm of the young cast, this year’s offering looks set to be another perfect family outing.

Tickets for a preview performance at 2pm on December 30 are £5 and for all other performances they are adult £11 and child and concessions £8. To book tickets go to www.kentontheatre.co.uk, call (01491) 575698 or visit the Kenton Theatre in New Street.