Never mind, the whole family can go to the ball this Christmas at The Corn Exchange’s family pantomime, Cinderella.

As with last weekend’s spectacle at Highclere Castle, near Newbury, Cinderella will be full of colour – featuring pumpkin coaches and Ugly Sisters, magical mice and a pair of glass slippers. Plus the UK’s current master of slapstick comedy, Cal McCrystal will once again take to the director’s chair, ensuring that this year’s family pantomime will be even more Insania than last year’s box office record breaking Jack and the Beanstalk.

There’s also talk of some added glamour in this year’s show as Cinderella’s ugly step sisters are to be dressed in the kind of ‘blinging’ ball gowns that wouldn’t look out of place on a footballer’s wife.

Cinders herself will be the Mysterious Girl turning heads at the ball so all the men – including the handsome Prince - will be wanting to get ‘close to her’.

Then there’s poor old Buttons, he loves Cinderella – but how can he tell her? Plus Cinders’ father, Baron Hardup, is unaware of how wicked his wife (Cinderella’s step mother) is to his daughter. Not to worry though, the kind, thoughtful and wonderfully magical Fairy Godmother will keep everyone in check and, of course, make sure there’s a happy ending for all!

This brand new telling of the classic rags to riches tale is written by the award winning writer/performer David Benson, with original songs from Barb Jungr & Adrian York.

Tickets are now available, ranging in price from £5 previews to £14 premium, at the box office on 01635 522733 or online at www.cornexchangenew.com. Group and school discounts are also available.

Cinderella is produced by The Corn Exchange and Hiss and Boo with support from Newbury Building Society and Newbury Weekly News.