Cinderella turned up for a glass slipper fitting without her Prince Charming. She did however, bring along his best friend, the dashing Dandini.

Stars of the show, Ruth Betteridge, who plays Cinders, and Michelle Pentecost, who plays Dandini, were visiting the theatre for the final fittings for the costumes they'll be donning to tread the boards in December.

This is Ruth's first time in panto, and the first time she has graced the stage at the Theatre Royal. She only graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music this July with a first class honours in classical music. She said: 'It's every young girl's dream to play Cinderella or a princess. I'm definitely excited to meet the rest of the cast and crew, and also to be here in Norwich.'

Michelle is currently starring on the West End as understudy to good witch Elpheba in the musical Wicked. She said: 'Cinderella is such an iconic piece, which speaks to so many people on many different levels. I'm looking forward to finding out what Dandini and his best friend Prince Charming will get up to, and how they'll get themselves out of any mischief.'

Christopher Ryan, who is best known for playing Mike in The Young Ones and Marshall in Absolutely Fabulous, will also be starring in the festive spectacular as Baron Hardup.

He said: 'You can't beat live theatre. Norwich Theatre Royal has a good tradition for producing a good family pantomime and I am really looking forward to being a part of that.'

Cinderella is at the Theatre Royal from Tuesday, December 17 until Sunday, January 19. For more information or to book your tickets, visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call 01603 630000.