AS well as bringing audiences into a whole new world, the cast of this year's Grange Theatre pantomime will be helping raise money for a children's hospice.

The Hartford theatre’s panto production of Aladdin is raising funds for Hope House Children’s Hospices – oh yes it is!

The pantomime favourite will be hitting the theatre stage in Bradburns Lane from Saturday, December 14 until New Year’s Day – and this year Hope House will benefit from bucket collection at each performance.

Theatre manager Paul Edwards explained how, each year, a different children’s charity is chosen to benefit from fundraising at each performance.

Paul, who has been theatre manager at the Grange for 12 years, said: “Last year we raised £3,000 for a children’s charity and this year I’m thrilled we have chosen Hope House Children’s Hospices.

“I have seen first-hand what Hope House can do. A family member had use of the Snow Flake Room at Hope House, a special temperature controlled room where children who have passed away can rest and be visited by their mums, dads, family members and friends ahead of a funeral.

“The thing is I will guarantee that at every performance of Aladdin there will be someone in the audience who will know of Hope House and have experience of the amazing work they do and how important their role is.

"We will be holding bucket collections after each performance and I’m hoping we can raise a record amount this year."

Tickets are selling fast for the production, which stars comedy duo Rob Stevens as Widow Twankey and Oliver Scott as Wishee Washee alongside a multi-talented cast of professional West End musical theatre performers.

“Aladdin is such a favourite pantomime. We have a great cast who have become real favourites of our regular audience members.

“It’s a great show packed full of laughs and tickets are selling really quickly. I’d encourage anyone planning on coming to the show to get their tickets as quickly as possible.”

Hope House Children’s Hospices area fundraiser Nicola Sciarrillo, says she’s thrilled the charity has been chosen to benefit from this year’s Grange Theatre pantomime.

She said: “It’s fantastic and whatever is raised through bucket collections at each performance will make a huge difference to Hope House Children’s Hospices.

“We are so grateful to The Grange Theatre for their support and for thinking of us. It’s vital we continue to raise funds to support local children and families when they need us most. No one should suffer the death of a child alone.

“Sadly, three local children die each week, and currently Hope House can only afford to help one of these families. We are committed to changing this.

“As a charity we are committed to supporting young people and their families in Cheshire, Shropshire, mid and north Wales.

“We are here to help them be as comfortable, happy and fulfilled as they can be by providing specialist nursing and palliative care at home, in the community, at Hope House and at Tŷ Gobaith.

“As well as emotional and practical help to parents and other family members and bereavement support and specialist counselling to any family after the death of their child, whether they have previously used our services or not.”

Daniel Bell, producer for KD Theatre Productions, said: “We are very excited to be returning to the Grange Theatre, our second home.

“We spend all year planning the production ensuring we produce a production of the highest quality for all the family with new surprises which are set to dazzle and delight our audiences.”

Now in its 11th year, the Grange Theatre pantomime has become renowned for its exciting blend of live music, stunning sets, lavish costumes and bucket loads of comedy.

For tickets, see thegrangetheatre.com/boxoffice or call 01606 539040