You can hiss and boo this pantomime in Sheffield interactively - oh yes, you can

The FlyDSA Arena and Sheffield City Hall have teamed up with Panto Live to bring Cinderella Live - billed as the world’s first interactive livestreamed pantomime – into viewers’ homes this Christmas.

The online pantomime is being broadcast live in December.

The idea is that audiences will boo, laugh, cheer, clap, shout “b ehind you!” and sing along with the cast in a fully interactive pantomime that uses special buttons so that the audience can rea ct to the action in real time .

The event includes a virtual world designed by games company Unreal Engine to re-create all the magic that traditional pantomimes bring.

The cast will feature Chris Rankin, who played Ron Weasley’s uptight prefect brother Percy Weasley in the Harry Potter films, as Fairy Godfather and Jessica Ellis as Evil Stepmother.

She played Tegan Lomax in long-running soap Hollyoaks.

They will be joined by Martin Callaghan as Baron Hardup, Kimberly Hart-Simpson, best known as Nicky Wheatley from Coronation Street, in the role of Dandini.

Singer Cuan Durkin plays Prince Charming, Katy Clayton, who played Samantha Boothe in Where the Heart Is, stars as Cinderella and Tim Churchill and Steve Fortune appear as Ugly Sisters.

Chris Rankin said: “I am over the moon to be working on this innovative production that will give the audience the feeling that they are sitting in the theatre itself as the actors perform Cinderella Live!”

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One of the creators and director of the show, Daniel Coll, said: “Panto audiences want to feel they are taking part and we have created a way to do that from home.”

The audience will take control of many of the usual reactions that a theatre audience would have.

By pressing buttons that trigger the sounds in the studio, they get to interact as if they were in the theatre itself.

The show will also include competitions.

Dan said: “It is just amazing to see young children get totally engaged along with their families, as they experience the sheer joy of pantomime from home.”

Producer Lianne Collinson added: “Pantomimes are the best way to tell an interactive story we all love. We are so thrilled to bring you fantastic costumes, special effects, great music and singers, along with many more star names still to be announced .”

Co-producer and director of photography Ben McNeill said: “The joy of this production is that we will be broadcasting live using the latest technology to offer high-end TV production combined with a brilliant theatre experience.

"It will be a very special occasion and will pave the way for a new way of working in the future.

"This production will look and sound wonderful on phones, tablets, computer devices and be truly stunning when watched on a TV.”

Daniel Coll declared: “There is something for all the family!”

Tickets for Cinderella Live - The Word’s First Interactive Live Stream Pantomime – are priced £14.97 for early bookings or £19.75 standard for performances on December 18, 19 and 24.

Tickets are now available online from www.flydsaarena.co.uk and www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.