A COLCHESTER theatre’s eagerly-anticipated and “unmissable” pantomime production of a legendary tale will finally be unveiled next weekend.

Beauty and the Beast will be staged at the Mercury Theatre, in Balkerne Gate, between November 26 and January 15 next year.

Written by the award-winning and revered Andrew Pollard, the story follows the mysterious Beast who imprisons beautiful Belle in his enchanted castle.

The show will question what it takes for true love to conquer all and whether love really is all anyone ever needs.

Mercury Theatre bosses have confirmed the two title characters would be played by experienced actors Alexandra Barredo and Daniel Jagusz-Holley.

Antony Stuart-Hicks, Dale Superville, Jaimie Pruden, Shelby Speed and Nick Brittain have also been revealed as Betty Bon Bon, Almondé, Spite, Hemlock, and Toadstool.

The performances, also featuring Sasha Latoya as Cupid, are being directed by the Oliver Award-winning Donnacadh O’Briain.

A spokesman for the event, which will be performed in 2pm and 7pm slots, said: “It’s a tale as old as time and a panto that will be unmissable for the whole family.”

Tickets for pantomime show range from £15 to £32.50 and can be purchased by visiting mercurytheatre.co.uk.

Alternatively, the Mercury Theatre box office can be contacted by calling 01206573948.