A major entertainment venue in Folkestone is set to host its first commercial pantomime this Christmas.

Bosses at the Leas Cliff Hall (LCH) have secured a deal with an executive production company in time for the festive season.

The new show means the annual pantomime by Folkestone-based Community Theatre Project (CTP) will no longer be performed in the winter months.

A spokesman for the venue confirmed the professional show will be the fairytale classic, Snow White.

He said: "I can confirm we will indeed be having a professional production company on board for this year’s pantomime and will hopefully be doing so with all future ones.

"This year’s production is Snow White and we are very excited and looking forward to bringing a great show for everyone this year.

"We will have announcements upcoming regarding the stars of the cast in the near future.

"We are unable to confirm any future productions yet or who will be procuring them."

The former music and dance hall has been run by leading live entertainment company, the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) since 2009 and seats almost 1000 people.

This year's professional pantomime is the first since ATG has been running the LCH. The last was more than a decade ago when the venue was run by Live Nation, back in 2006.

It comes after a promising start to the year for the venue, which secured some of its first touring West End productions.

In March, producer Bill Kenwright's tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, starring Jaymi Hensley from boyband Union J, visited the coastal theatre for a week of sold out performances.

In addition, the national tour of the musical Avenue Q is also arriving in the town in September.

As a result of the new show, CTP, which is largely made up of local performers, now present an alternative Easter pantomime in 2020.

A LCH spokeswoman added: "The professional pantomime does not replace the regular CTP production.

"The CTP continues to thrive at the venue and will be putting on a spring pantomime and is continuing to run their summer schools here.

"Our relationship is as strong as it always has been and is continuing to grow.

"Our commitment to supporting local community projects remains at the forefront of who we are and what this fantastic community venue stands for.

"We will be announcing the cast in the coming weeks. It’s exciting and a product that is set to grow year on year attracting some of the top names to perform in it."

Bob Osborne, who runs CTP alongside Neil Hunnisett, said: "It was decided by management to go through the tender process as all ATG venues.

"We had the opportunity to be involved, but decided to produce an Easter production in 2020 which will be Beauty and the Beast.

"This is now a regular feature in theatres. We're very excited and will run for a week from Monday, March 30 to include school shows.

"Auditions for dancers and children will be held in November."

For further details, call Bob on 07815020576.

Tickets for Snow White and the Seven Dwarves have gone on sale today.

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