Bradford theatre bosses are hoping for a bumper Christmas, with panto ticket sales selling like hot cakes.

Tonight the curtain rises on this year’s pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, starring Alhambra stalwart Billy Pearce, in his 11th panto at the theatre.

Billy will be selling a live cow for a handful of beans and climbing a sky-scraping beanstalk.

Starring opposite the Yorkshire comic will be Leeds actress Gaynor Faye as Jill, actor Tony Adams – who appeared at the Alhambra in smash hit show Chitty Chitty Bang Bang last year – in false eyelashes and outlandish frocks as the Dame, and musical theatre star Leanne Jones as everyone’s favourite Fairy.

A Dexter cow called Moonbeam joins the cast. The 3ft high cow has been preparing for her panto debut by meeting members of the public on a recent ‘meet and greet’ tour of Bradford.

Billed as West Yorkshire’s biggest panto – and Bradford’s biggest panto yet – Jack And The Beanstalk is produced by Qdos Entertainment.

“Each year we bring an element of surprise to the production, and Jack And The Beanstalk will be no different as we’re planning some very unusual special effects,” said executive producer Jon Conway.

The 2008/2009 Alhambra panto, Cinderella, which featured 3D special effects and live horses, was the Alhambra’s most successful so far, making more than £1 million and breaking the record set by the 2007/2008 production.

Bradford Theatres continued its policy of making pantomime widely accessible, with ticket prices starting at £7, concessions available on most performances and family tickets from £28.

A Bradford Theatres spokesman said tickets for 75,000 seats had already been sold for this year’s panto. The show runs at the Alhambra from tonight until January 31. For tickets ring (01274) 432000.