CHRISTMAS cheer arrives early this year as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs begin entertaining audiences at St Helens Theatre Royal from Saturday.

With magic mirrors, wicked queens, poisoned apples and slapstick comedy aplenty, the Regal Entertainments panto runs until Sunday, January 7.

For the first time on the Theatre Royal stage, the panto will include a magical 3D interactive scene.

It will see St Helens comedy star Johnny Vegas, as the Magic

Mirror, reveal who is the fairest of them all via the power of video projection.

Lucy-Jo Hudson, of Coronation Street and Wild at Heart fame, stars as Snow White.

She said: “It has been 10 years since I was last in panto, so it is great to get back into it.

“We have had 10 busy days to prepare, but the cast are great and I am excited for it to start.

“What is great about this is my four-year-old daughter (Sienna-Rae) can come to watch me.

“She will be coming to opening night dressed in her Snow White costume.

“All she keeps saying is ‘my mummy is Snow White, she’s a real princess’.

“Plus I have FaceTimed her a lot, so she wants to meet the other cast members as well, especially the dwarves.”

Lucy-Jo, who was a runner up in the ITV show Dance Dance Dance, credits it for her decision to return to the stage.

The 34-year-old added: “The theatre is perfect for this kind of show because you can be interactive.

“I have taken inspiration for my character from Amy Adams’ character in Enchanted – I am a little bit ditzy, funny and very girly.

“It is very different from being on the TV, but I enjoyed dancing so much that I wanted to get back to that, though I am only just getting used to singing.

“This show is great for families.

“It is full of ‘grown-up’ jokes and innuendo for mums, dads and grandparents, which will go over kids’ heads so they just get to enjoy the magic of the show.”

  • To book tickets visit sthelenstheatreroyal.com, call into the box office or contact 01744 756000. There are no shows on Monday, December 18, and Christmas Day.