Twelve teenage dancers from across Waveney are busy rehearsing for a Christmas they will never forget after being cast in this year’s Beccles pantomime – Sleeping Beauty.

After a challenging audition process, the gifted performers aged 12 to 18 are now being taught all the show’s key numbers and will play an integral part in many of the scenes.

One of the girls chosen to perform is Jamie Coleman, who is currently studying for her A Levels at Lowestoft Sixth Form College.

The 17-year-old is no stranger to treading the boards, having starred in productions for the B&B Young Peoples’ Group in Lowestoft and the Lowestoft Players.

She said: “This is my third year being part of the Beccles pantomime. It’s really fun and there’s a real family atmosphere.”

Cassidy Elmstrom, 15, attends Beccles Free School and has also won a part. “We have learnt a dance a week for the past three weeks and once we know then all, we will just keep perfecting each routine. I love how funny panto is, it isn’t taken too seriously.”

One of the youngest cast members is Jessica Burroughs, 13 – however she is the only dancer to have featured in every Beccles pantomime.

She said: “I was part of the very first year of the professional pantomime in Beccles in 2015.

“I have auditioned and been lucky to have been cast each year. I really enjoy entertaining the audiences and making people smile.”

Ryan Holt, producer of Sleeping Beauty, spoke of the hard work already going on behind the scenes.

He said: “The girls are rehearsing eight different routines with our choreographer Charlotte Wood ready for curtain up.

“We had so many young people audition and the standard was extremely high, so picking 12 was no mean feat. These 12 youngsters are extremely talented and I am really proud to have them in the cast.”

Sleeping Beauty, presented by Spark Live Pantomimes, runs from December 21 to December 31 at Beccles Public Hall.

A family ticket for two adults and two children is £42, adults are £12.50, children, £10.50 and concessions are £11.50.

To book tickets, call 01502 770 060, or visit www.becclespublichall.org.uk