PANTOMIME time is here again as Sleeping Beauty prepares to awaken at the Kenneth More Theatre this Christmas.

We all know the story - prince meets princess, they fall in love, she pricks her finger on a spinning wheel and is condemned to sleep for a hundred years by the evil fairy-godmother, then prince snaps her out of it with the kiss of true love. If only she had stayed away from sharp objects!

But how did the dashing prince retain his youthful looks during her centennial snooze? Time travel is the answer in this panto.

Desperate to fulfil his quest before he is too old to charm, the enamoured Prince (Lee Bright) stays forever young by jumping into a time machine provided by non-other than the good fairy-godmother Fairy Flora (Loraine Porter).

Of course the evil Maleficent (Natalie Cleverley) tries to stop him in his tracks and the quintessential Panto Dame Dolly Dumpling (Andrew Ryan) will be there to ask who is behind everyone.

In true fairytale fashion the all live happily ever after when Beauty (Clare Cunliffe) is returned to the land of the conscious.

Just 25 per cent of tickets are left for this, the 27th annual pantomime, at the Kenneth More Theatre in Oakfield Road, Ilford. It runs from December 21 to February 2. Performance times vary.

Tickets are £9.75 for adults, £8.25 for children and senior citizens. To find out more or to book tickets call 8553 4466.