Stafford Gatehouse Theatre has announced that its 2022 pantomime, Cinderella, set new box office records for both attendances and receipts.

Around 17,000 people poured through the Gatehouse doors over a three-week run, generating record receipts. School parties came from all over the county and many performances were completely sold out.

There was also a huge boost from front of house sales, merchandise and catering revenue, as well as programme sales during the run, which was sponsored by Staffordshire University.

The pantomime, starring Harriet Thorpe from Absolutely Fabulous, comedian Ricky K and Stafford’s own Tom Vaughan was produced by Red Entertainment.

Local dancers also took part in the show, alongside the professional cast and acclaimed director Richard Shepherd, who lectures on Staffordshire University’s unique contemporary pantomime practice degree course.

Gatehouse manager Gary Stevens said: "We are absolutely delighted with the response to Cinderella – everyone had a ball.

Our previous pantomime Snow White had set the bar high, so to achieve an even better result with Cinderella is incredible really.

We’d like to thank everyone who came along to the show, the cast and crew, our brilliant army of volunteers and our staff who worked so hard over the festive period."

More than 1,000 tickets have already been sold for this year’s pantomime Beauty and the Beast, which runs from 8-31 December.

For tickets and further information contact the Box Office on 01785 619080 or gatehousetheatre.co.uk