THIS year’s traditional pantomime at The Anvil, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, was the venue’s third most successful in its history.

The number of tickets sold for the Gazette-sponsored production of Snow White rose by more than six per cent compared to last year’s Peter Pan – sending it to third in the all-time table.

The show was a huge success, with many of the audience commenting that it was one of the best pantomimes they had ever seen.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs starred former EastEnder Lucy Benjamin, children’s presenter Luke Roberts, comedian Noel Brodie and experienced star Ian Good, who also directed, as the Nurse.

The company of dancers included local young performers from Basingstoke Academy of Dancing and North Hampshire Academy of Dance.

Overall, the equivalent of one in every six people in the borough came to a performance across the Christmas season at The Anvil or at The Haymarket, where the festive programme included Charlie and Lola’s Best Bestest Play.

Matthew Cleaver, deputy chief executive at Anvil Arts, said: “We are delighted that so many people enjoyed a performance at The Anvil and The Haymarket.

“The range of events meant thousands of borough residents made a visit to one of our venues a highlight of their Christmas celebrations.

“We are already looking ahead to the end of year and which shows to book.

“This year’s pantomime at The Anvil will be Aladdin, and it will be on sale later this month.”

To find out when Aladdin and any other new shows for 2013 go on sale, keep an eye on anvilarts.org.uk.