Victoria LeggettA glass slipper hand decorated with crystals by a Norfolk artist will be the centrepiece of this year's pantomime at Sheringham Little Theatre.Victoria Leggett

A glass slipper hand decorated with crystals by a Norfolk artist will be the centrepiece of this year's pantomime at Sheringham Little Theatre.

The production of Cinderella will also mark a step change for the theatre because it is being brought completely in-house instead of being brought in by an outside production company - allowing theatre bosses more flexibility over story lines and content.

The slipper was handed over by glass artist Amanda Jane England yesterday at her Alby Crafts studio to some of the cast of the show, including Victoria Gimby who takes the title role, Robert Brendan as Prince Charming and former Paston College student Tim Bell as Buttons.

Mrs England was asked to produce something eye catching, sparkly and elegant which would also appeal to the general public because the slipper will be raffled off during the panto, with proceeds going to the theatre's youth outreach work.

Instead of the initial idea of painting the slipper, the technique she uses for most of her daily commercial work, Mrs England decided instead to attach Swarovski crystals.

'It took me about five evenings to complete after work and I'm really pleased with it,' she said.

'I hope it's eye catching for the audience and people will be keen to be involved in the raffle.'

Theatre director and panto producer Debbie Thompson promised a spectacular show: 'We really are very excited about this year's pantomime, particularly as it will be produced completely in-house.

'In the past a production company from outside has come in, but this gives us more options and control.

'What we have ended up with is a unique show for Sheringham, mixing the traditional and the contemporary, which is very difficult to do. It really is a panto which lives in its own Sheringham world.'

Rhys Thomas, who has written the script and will direct the show, said: 'I started with the original Brothers Grimm fairy tale and a shopping list from Debbie - things like a slosh scene, which is a technical name for a rather messy scene which in this case will involve cake making and the ugly sisters.

'I took those two things away and started finding ways to produce two hours of original entertainment.

'And yes, there will be supermarket jokes in there - it is Sheringham after all!'

Local youngsters will have a chance to share the limelight with professional actors in the panto, which is set in the School for Would-be, Should-be Princes and Princesses.

Four teams of youngsters aged from eight to 18 will take it in turns to play students at the school, with 18-year-old Paston College student Eleanor Hicks playing the part of head girl.

t Cinderella runs at Sheringham Little Theatre from December 5 until January 2. Tickets, priced from �14, with under 16s at �9 and family tickets from �43, are available from the box office on 01263 822347.