AFTER breaking Grand Opera House pantomime box-office records with their debut production of Aladdin, Three Bears Productions will return to York next Christmas with "another spectacular pantomime with lots of surprises".

Beauty And The Beast is "sure to be the Biggest and the Beast in Yorkshire", promise the Three Bears triumvirate of producer Chris Moreno, company manager Russ Spencer and director Stuart Wade.

"Three Bears Productions are thrilled to hear that all panto box office records at the Grand Opera House were broken this past Christmas with the hit production of Aladdin," says Chris Moreno.

"We're pleased to announce that a brand new production of Beauty And The Beast with some very exciting special effects and fabulous sets and costumes will be this year’s sensational pantomime. A star cast will be announced shortly."

York Press:

Megan Conway's Beauty and Malcolm Poole's Beast take to the streets of York to launch Three Bears Productions' 2017 panto at the Grand Opera House. Picture: David Harrison

Aladdin was billed as "York's biggest ever panto!", backing up that claim with a cast featuring Hear'Say singer Suzanne Shaw as Princess Yasmin; dancer Debbie McGee as the Genie of the Ring; Emmerdale alumni Stuart Wade as Wishee Washee and Frazer Hines as The Emperor; stand-up comedian and The Chase chaser Paul Sinha as Abanazar; Carl Tracey, from children's TV show Go! Go! Go!, as Aladdin and blossoming dame Steve Wickenden as Widow Twankey, plus the new addition of 3D special effects.

"We would like to thank all our customers for supporting us during our 2016 pantomime," says Lizzie Richards, the Cumberland Street theatre's general manager. "It was fantastic to see our audiences marvel at the transformation scene and scream wildly at the 3D effects while wearing yellow glasses. This was our busiest pantomime yet.

"We're pleased to have the Three Bears returning later this year with their Beauty And The Beast pantomime. This pantomime title is a first for the Grand Opera House and we’re all looking forward to the cast announcement and the costumes. The producer isn’t telling us about the special effects yet!"

Tickets for the panto run from December 15 to January 7 2018 are on sale already at £15.75 upwards on 0844 871 3024 or at www.atgtickets.com/york. School and family rates are available.