RECORD crowds flocked to Greenock’s Beacon Arts Centre as more than 11,000 people visited in just three weeks.

Bumper audiences turned out to see the theatre’s second professional panto, Cinderella, which ran from the middle of December until the start of this month.

And it proved a huge hit, with audience numbers up 10 per cent on last year’s offering, Jack and the Beanstalk — which was also a big success story.

A total of 11,165 people enjoyed the 2014 show across 33 performances, with the panto receiving rave reviews from the audience and critics.

It is another feather in the cap for the Beacon and bosses are thrilled with the reaction and the number of visitors.

Julie Ellen, artistic director, said: “After the huge success of our first professional panto last year — Jack and the Beanstalk — we didn’t dare hope we could improve on it, but with bigger audiences and a raft of positive feedback from people who thought it was even better, we are simply delighted.” Beacon bosses say the panto attracted more than 500 people who attended the venue for the first time.

Around 80 per cent of tickets booked were by people from Inverclyde with the final fifth made up of people from as far afield as Bristol, Hartlepool, Jersey and Portsmouth.

There was also a large contingent who visited from Glasgow and Renfrewshire.

The show, written by Alan McHugh, featured an all-star cast including Fairy Godmother Jane McCarry, who is best-known as Isa from Still Game and Granny Murray in children’s programme Me Too!.

She was joined on stage by returning River City actor Paul James Corrigan as Buttons and Ugly Sisters Paul McCole (High Times, The Limmy Show) and James Young (Chewin’ the Fat, Still Game).

Also back at the Beacon following the success of last year’s panto was Samantha Shields, who played leading lady Cinders, and Port Glasgow actor Craig Anthony Ralston as Prince Charming.

Another local performer, Kieran Begley from Wemyss Bay, was also among the line-up in one of the lead roles in the chorus.

Director Julie said: “We’re proud to present a panto produced and performed by a host of great Scottish talent and written especially for Greenock audiences, and we just wanted to make it as fun an experience as possible for everyone who comes through our doors.” 'Something for everyone' CINDERELLA wasn’t the only person having a ball at this year’s Beacon panto — the audience also had a magical time in what was another triumph for the theatre.

The venue’s second professional festive production had a tough act to follow after the huge success and rave reviews of Jack and the Beanstalk 12 months ago.

But the cast and crew ensured another memorable performance with a fun-filled, family show that had something for everyone.

Traditional met contemporary as the original plot was brought bang up to date with energetic dance routines and a good, old-fashioned sing-along to modern day hits from the likes of One Direction and Katy Perry.

While that appealed to the younger members of the audience, the west coast humour and one-liners put smiles on the faces of the grown-ups.

Port Glasgow’s very own Craig Anthony Ralston showed exactly why he has shot through the ranks at the Beacon by delivering a polished performance as Prince Charming.

He ably took on one of the lead roles following his appearance in last year’s show.

Co-star Samantha Shields also returned to the Greenock venue, this time as leading lady Cinderella, and gave another solid performance as the belle of the ball under the watchful eyes of Still Game star Jane McCarry, who showed why she’s a panto favourite with an entertaining performance as her Fairy Godmother.

But as is always the case with pantomime, it was the dames — Paul McCole and James Young — who got the biggest laughs as the Ugly Sisters.

They had the audience in stitches with their ‘patter’ — not to mention their wild outfits.

But River City actor Paul James Corrigan was hot on their heels in his role as a rather ‘wet behind the ears’ Buttons.

The cast were helped by another great script by Glasgow actor and writer Alan McHugh and arrangement by show director and Beacon artistic director Julie Ellen.

Beacon bosses have today announced over 11,000 people saw the panto during its three-week run, with audience numbers up 10 per cent on last year and people attending from all over the UK.

When everything is tallied up, panto alone demonstrates that the Beacon is one of the top theatres in Scotland and proves the venue can hold its own with the very best.

Congratulations to everyone involved.

See today's Tele for full pictures.