The Wild West has proved a big hit in the east as 61,200 people enjoyed watching Norwich Theatre Royal's cowboy-themed production of Jack and the Beanstalk.
The curtain came down on the city venue's annual pantomime on Sunday, and during the course of its run the festive show generated a record-breaking £1,087,670 in ticket sales, an increase on last year's previous record of £1,072,236 with Snow White.
The pantomime, which had opened on December 13 and attracted praise from audiences and critics alike, saw dancer Wayne Sleep lead the cast as the baddie Phineas P Stinkworthy. Pantomime stalwart Richard Gauntlett, who wrote and directed the show as well as playing Nigella Trottalot, starred opposite Mr Sleep alongside comedy favourite Ben Langley as Silly Trottalot, David Burilin as Jack Trottalot and David Gant as Sheriff Phil Hiccup.
Norwich actress Harriet Bunton played Dolly the Fairy, and Joe Press, from Wroxham, was among the performers in the ensemble. Lowestoft-based Scenic Projects created the set which transported audiences into the wonderful world of Nodge City where the theatre's unique take on the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk was played out.
As well as buying tickets, audience-members purchased nearly 20,000 tubs of ice-cream. Meanwhile, bucket collections after selected performances also raised £10,494 for the theatre's education and community work based at the Stage Two building.
Jane Walsh, the pantomime's executive producer, said: 'Audiences have loved Jack and the Beanstalk this year.
'Stunning performances from a brilliant and endlessly energetic cast, lashings of comedy and some jaw-dropping sets built especially for the Wild West theme with a fabulous array of costumes made it a must-see show once again.'
And she said plans were already under way for the theatre's 2017-18 pantomime which will be Sleeping Beauty.
Richard Gauntlett and Ben Langley have already been announced as part of the Sleeping Beauty cast and more than 13,000 tickets have already been sold for the show.
'Planning for the show is well under way, we have already had initial meetings to work on the plot, theme and sets for the next production and are delighted that Richard and Ben will be with us again.'
Sleeping Beauty will be at Norwich Theatre Royal from December 13, 2017 until January 14, 2018. Tickets are £7-£24.50. To book, call the box office on 01603 630000 or visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
Do you have a Norwich arts story? Email arts correspondent Emma Knights at emma.knights@archant.co.uk
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