PUPILS from Irvine, Kilwinning and Stewarton will be taking part in the Palace Theatre’s panto this year.

The children will join the talented junior ensemble for the Kilmarnock theatre’s production of Sleeping Beauty.

The show stars River City’s Leah MacRae as Fairy Flutterby, Fraser Boyle as Nurse Senga, Gary Morrison as Hilarious Hector, Jill Nadin as Princess Beauty, James McAnerney as King Louis, Ali Cleland as Carabosse, Blair Robertson as Prince Callum with Clark Wallace and Caitlin Mae in the adult ensemble.

Joining the cast will be 24 talented children who make up the junior ensemble.

Steve Boden, managing director of pantomime producer Imagine Theatre, attended the auditions for the junior ensemble and said: “The standard of the children who audition for us never fails to be exceptionally high and we always get a fabulous turn out.

“It does make our job quite difficult though as we have to select just three teams of eight as well as a team of reserves.”

“Sleeping Beauty is a great opportunity for young performers to work on a professional production. It is quite a challenge but at the same time it is very rewarding and a lot of fun!”

“We have a wonderful cast and a hilarious script that has once again been written by the brilliant Eric Potts, so I know that Sleeping Beauty is going to be a truly magical show this Christmas.”

The show runs from Saturday, November 24 to Sunday, December 30. Tickets are available from £10 from the Palace Theatre box office on 01563 554900 or visit eastayrshireleisure.com