A FLYING carpet, a full-size elephant and a genie plucked straight from The Only Way Is Essex – it must be panto time again!

Aladdin, which stars TV favourite Keith Chegwin as Wishee Washee, is being described as Swindon’s most magical pantomime yet.

Tickets for this year’s production are selling fast.

Richard Loftus, the marketing manager at the Wyvern Theatre, said: “We’re really pleased with how tickets are selling, two thirds of all the tickets have already gone.

“We’ve sold 17,00 tickets, which is identical to where we were last year and last year’s production completely sold out. We’re on course for another sell-out this year too.”

With only a few weeks left to go before the curtain rises, the cast and crew are working to make this year’s pantomime the best ever.

Young dancers will be busy learning 16 different routines over the next three weeks. Full cast rehearsals will be starting on November 26.

Andrew Wright, who was nominated for an Olivier Award for his work in the West End musical Singin’ In The Rain, will be in charge of choreography.

Joining Andrew will be teen heart-throb turned choreographer Aaron Renfree, who shot to fame as a member of S Club Juniors and who has worked with Take That and as a dancer on the X Factor.

“I am very excited to be choreographing this year, bringing my unique commercial style to Swindon’s annual family panto,” he said.

Director Derek Aldridge said: “The Wyvern has a history of working with the top names in dance. It is therefore a privilege to see the latest up and coming choreographers join our creative team to support us in presenting another sensational pantomime.”

This year’s performance of Aladdin will feature hits by many of today’s biggest selling artists, including Olly Murs’ Dance with Me Tonight and One Direction’s hit What Makes You Beautiful.

Theatre staff hope this season’s panto will be even bigger and better than last year’s Cinderella.

“We aim to make every pantomime at the Wyvern magical. This year we have a flying carpet and a full size elephant – it really does have to be seen to be believed,” said Richard.

Aladdin will run at the Wyvern Theatre from Saturday, December 8 to Sunday, January 6. Tickets start from £14.50 from www.wyverntheatre.org.uk or 01793 524481.