SARAH Goggin had never been to a pantomime when she landed the title role in Cinderella at the Alhambra in 2017.

She’s been back here ever since - as Princess Jasmine in Aladdin last year and this year as Snow White, alongside Billy Pearce, Steps star Faye Tozer and Paul Chuckle.

“I think I’m spoilt now; I’m in Yorkshire’s biggest panto, at the home of panto. No other panto could live up to this,” she smiles. “I’ve done other Alhambra shows but this famous panto is something else. People come from far and wide to see it.”

With just over a week to rehearse, the cast were straight in to two shows a day, six days a week. “You spend so much time on stage, you have to love it, and we have a fantastic cast,” says Sarah. “Billy keeps it fresh, he and Paul are hilarious together. Every show is different with those two!

“Everyone is so good at their job; from lighting and sound to the curtain coming down, it runs like clockwork. It’s a well oiled machine, that’s credit to the Alhambra and Qdos.”

With spectacular effects and dazzling visual tricks, the Alhambra panto balances state-of-the-art entertainment with traditional panto elements audiences expect. “You need to cater for modern audiences, but there’s still the old-school comedy, and it’s very fairytale,” says Sarah. “Children love slapstick, it’s wonderful to hear a child in the audience properly chuckling.”

Children also immerse themselves in the on-stage action...not least Sarah’s little boy. “Ever since he watched the show he refuses to eat red apples,” she says, referring to the poisonous apple the Wicked Queen gives to Snow White. “It’s okay to be a bit scared though - you get the laughs and dancing too, that’s what panto is all about.”

She adds: “The show, the timings and reactions, change depending on the audience or the time of day. Billy says the show changes once the last cast member arrives - the audience.”

Originally from Ireland, Sarah is trained in musical theatre and last year she toured with Friendsical, a show inspired by hit sitcom Friends. “I played Monica - everyone has a bit of Monica in them,” she smiles. “It was so much fun; everyone knows and loves Friends.”

Next week she and the Alhambra cast present a relaxed performance of Snow White, for audiences with autism and other specific needs. “It’s a lovely thing to share it with a wider audience, and carers and families,” says Sarah.

While Sarah and the gang are entertaining audiences on stage, a dedicated backstage and venue team is working behind the scenes. The panto brings together over 40 technical and production staff, 20 performers and musicians and 20 local Sunbeams. An additional 160 venue staff, including bar, front-of-house and stage-door teams, ensure the Alhambra is ready to open its doors. Here’s what goes into producing Yorkshire’s biggest panto - and some fun facts:

* Six wagons brought all the set, lighting, sound and special effects equipment to the theatre; including 50 flight cases for lighting equipment alone

* 15 crew worked 12-hour shifts for four days to build the set and rig the lighting

* 256 lights are used for each performance, with 485 lighting cues - a total of 34,435 for the panto run

* Over five litres of Windolene are used weekly to clean the Magic Mirror

* Paul Chuckle will have thrown 355 bags of Chocolate Buttons into the audience over the run

* 140 panto tickets were sold on Christmas Day

* The moped Billy rides on stage can go up to 40mph and is roadworthy

* 213 goody bags and 284 bottles of Champagne have been given as prizes to audience members

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is at the Alhambra until January 26. Call (01274) 432000.