IT MAY be spring in Newport, but at the city’s Riverfront Theatre they are already gearing up for Christmas.

The theatre has announced that tickets for this year’s pantomime, Beauty and The Beast, are now on sale at the box office.

Pantomime lovers are being urged to get their tickets now to avoid disappointment come December.

The Beauty and The Beast cast members gathered at Belle Vue Park in Newport to launch this year’s pantomime, which runs from December 3 until January 6.

Written and directed by Colin Blumenau and from the winning team that has also staged Jack and the Beanstalk, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Cinderella and last year’s hit, Robin Hood, at the Riverfront, the Beauty and the Beast story has been turned on its head.

With a selfish prince who is destined to spend the rest of his life hidden in his castle in the guise of a grotesque beast, a resourceful heroine, played by Elin Llywd (Pobol y Cwm, Stwnsh, Gwaith Cartref, S4C), must rush to the rescue with her madcap French pals, Pascale Malmaison, played by Richard Elis (EastEnders), and Monique Malmaison, played by Lee Mengo (Gwaith Cartref, S4C).

The Riverfront’s main theatre will offer tickets from £5 for Christmas Cracker performances on December 3 and 5, as well as peak performances from £10.50. Schools performances are £8.50 each.

Tickets are already on sale and can be purchased at the box office, at www.newport.gov.uk/panto or by calling 01633 656757.