More than 70% of tickets have already been sold for this year’s festive panto at Mansfield Palace Theatre —­ and the cast has now been confirmed.

Headlining the production of Aladdin will be James Mackenzie as Abanazar. Best known for his role as Raven in the BAFTA award-winning CBBC series of the same name, James is also a hit with fans of CBeebies series Molly and Mack.

Taking the role of Widow Twankey will be Ben Harlow, who took on the role in Aladdin at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool, last year.

Ben has played the UPS Guy in the UK and Ireland tour of Legally Blonde, Sam Carmichael in smash-hit ABBA musical Mamma Mia, and Gaston in the original international tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

At the Palace Theatre he will be alongside the Mansfield panto’s regular comedian, Adam Moss, who is playing Wishee Washee

Adam has been a permanent festive fixture at the Palace Theatre for a decade, but this will be his first time appearing in Aladdin at the Palace.

The funnyman, who said Aaddin was his favourite Christmas panto, added: “I can’t wait to be back in Mansfield for this year’s panto, and after 11 years you might just might see me learn the script!

“What a fantastic cast of people we have this year, and wait until you meet my mum — what a looker! See you later gang.”

James said: “I’m delighted to be appearing in Aladdin, oh yes I am! I can’t wait to see what mischief I can get up to with Mansfield’s favourite funny man, Adam. Let the challenge begin!”

Joining James, Ben and Adam to complete the cast line up are Paolo Micallef, in the title role of Aladdin; Mairi Ikegami as Princess Jasmine; Shannon Farrell as Spirit of the Ring; Shahar Mizrahi as Genie; and Mark Peachey as Emperor.

Mark’s television credits include Jordan Cooper in Hollyoaks on Channel 4 and Inside Out on the BBC.

Tickets for Aladdin are available at mansfieldpalace.co.uk or by visiting or calling the Box Office on 01623 463133.