It's not to late to see if the glass slippers fits as search for perfect Cinderella for Blackpool Winter Gardens Pantomime continues

Not wanting to waste any time in putting together the festive extravaganza, the first in 60 years at the resort venue, producers and the casting team at the the Winter Gardens put out a social media search for their leading lady.

And the team at Charming Pantomimes say they have been overwhelmed by the ingenuity of auditionees who have not been shy in sharing their renditions of '9 to 5' and a short scene from the show.

The hunt has taken them across the United Kingdom with hundreds of talented actresses hoping to be the perfect fit and step into those famous glass slippers onstage at the Blackpool Opera House from December 13 2020.

A spokesperson for Charming Pantomimes said: "We've had so many incredible Search For Cinders submissions already.

"It's not too late to film yours, don't forget to to tag us and use #CinderellaBlackpool."

The chosen Cinderella will appear alongside an all star cast including Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas as Fairy Godmother, CBeebies star Jennie Dale as the wicked stepmother Milkshake! Presenter David Ribi who has also starred in Peter Pan, The Rocky Horror Show and Hairspray.

Ribi will play Dandini. The show written by Samuel Holmes of Charming Pantomimes will open in December for four weeks until January 3.

Ticket buyers have until April 30 to take advantage of a buy one get one free ticket for those priced £29. In addition Winter Gardens bosses are also donating one free ticket from each of these sales to NHS key workers in gratitude for all their work during the pandemic.

Already 500 tickets have been put aside as part of the scheme.

Managing director of Winter Gardens Michael Williams said: “Christmas is eight months away and people are normally thinking about their summer holidays at this time of year.

"The uncertainty over the current lockdown means that people are looking forward to Christmas and a return to the theatre and live entertainment, it seems to be giving people something to focus on and it’s fantastic that as a venue we can say thank you to the NHS in our own way.”

All budding ‘Cinderellas’ can also still apply at the Blackpool Winter Gardens website by posting an online video submission to their own social media channels, and tagging in @BlackpoolPanto, which must clearly showcase their talents as a potential lead taking on the role of the character which is loved by many the world over.

The Opera House has enjoyed years of Christmas musicals, but not since the production of Dick Whittington in 1956, has a family pantomime played at the Winter Gardens.

To take advantage of the tickets offer simply use code 'PANTO20' on included performances. Offer ends midnight on Thursday 30 April 2020.

Visit: https://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/whats-on/cinderellaFor all audition tapes see @BlackpoolPanto on social media channels