The “biggest show of the year” returns to Worcester this Christmas.

After a two year hiatus the pantomime will make a grand return with Beauty and the Beast opening at the Swan Theatre November 30.

Director Paul Milton, who has been involved with Worcester Theatres since 1982, is in charge of his first pantomime since 2008 and will have a largely new cast at his disposal.

He said: “For a lot of freelance actors it’s been really grim so I’m thrilled that we are able to open up the big panto and give a number of actors, designers and wardrobe supervisors some work.

“It’s the biggest show of the year because what you want to do at Christmas is bring all your families to the theatre and hopefully they all have a great time and then come back at other times of the year.”

Belle, the Beast and the dame, Madame Bonbon, will all be played by actors making their Worcester debut.

Charlotte Swarbrick, 25, takes on the role of Belle having moved to Worcester last November.

She said: “I didn’t want to get my hopes up, it’s a dream role. Every small girl’s dream growing up is to get to play a princess. I was over the moon to get it.

“The pantomime is something everybody really looks forward to and this year it’s coming back bigger and better than ever."

Jack Giblen, 23, from Warndon Villages, will play the beast and it is a role unlike any he’s done before.

He said: “The costume is absolutely roasting. The team have done such a good job and it looks amazing. Hopefully it’s not too frightening!”

He added: “Ever since I was a little kid I loved the pantomime, it’s just something that I have got to do in my career.

“There’s so much value that comes from panto’s, probably more than people realise.”

The dame will be performed by Daniel Cane, 37.

He said: “The pantomime was really missed, from every aspect, last year. It’s a real money earner.

“The theatre industry is on its knees really and so it’s such a great time of year when everyone comes together.

“For children, it' normally their first experience of live theatre and I think that has been something we have really missed.”