These days, many pantomimes attract audiences by bringing in celebrities who swap their usual roles for a Christmas spent treading the boards.

Not so at The Radlett Centre this festive season. Its production of Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs is a good old-fashioned panto, with not a celeb in sight.

Theatre company Upstage Productions makes a welcome return to the centre to perform a magical family pantomime that has something for everyone; plenty of songs, comedy, adventure and audience participation, as well as enchanting scenery and colourful costumes.

The show is directed by Victoria Ward, and musical director is Alexander Bermange. Among the cast are Julie Matheson as Snow White, Gavin Ashbarry as Gertie the loveable Dame and Michael Anderson as the Prince. The seven dwarfs will be played by local children. Appearing as the Wicked Queen is Lucy Williamson, who like many people, developed a love of pantomime at an early age.

She says: “I live in Northampton and I used to go to the Royal Theatre when I was a child, and I started doing pantomime when I was nine. It was fantastic.

“I have a little girl, but she won’t be coming to see it. She would be frightened of mum in her costume."

Even after doing pantomimes from an early age, Lucy says still gets nerves, adding: “The day you don’t get nervous is the day you should give it up.”

Lucy, who has performed panto at The Radlett Centre before, says audiences there are looking for the traditional pantomime experience, rather than celebrity-driven offerings that have become the norm in many theatres.

“It’s quite sad how things have changed,” she adds. “This is pure panto. There are no names as such – it’s talented people putting on a show.”

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is at The Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, Radlett from Saturday, December 12 until Saturday, January 3. Tickets: 01923 859291 or www. radlettcentre.co.uk (£13-£16)