THE Thurrock panto starts tomorrow (Friday) and tickets are still available. Oh yes they are!

After months of preparation, the Thameside Theatre in Grays hosts Jack and the Beanstalk, with 55 performances taking place before Friday, January 5.

For families across the borough and the UK, going to the panto is an annual tradition.

Tickets are still available for most nights of the panto in Grays, though for some performances there is now limited availability.

Tickets are sold out for Friday night’s opening performance. The show on Friday, December 13 is also sold out.

Polka Dot Pantomimes are producing the show, which stars Natalie Cassidy as the fairy, before she returns to hit BBC soap Eastenders as Sonia Jackson in the new year.

The show also features West End veterans including Wain Douglas, back by popular demand after his performance as one of the Ugly Sisters in last year’s show Cinderella, as well as a spectacular backdrop, sparkling costumes and a number of magical surprises.

The retelling of this classic fairytale follows Jack on a journey to Giant Blunderbore’s castle in the sky as he battles to save his Princess and Daisy the cow from the evil Poison Ivy.

Each show will last two hours and 15 minutes.

Tickets can be booked on 0845 300 5264 or www.thurrock.gov.uk/theatre.