PANTO season is back in Aldershot - with a high-flying, swashbuckling adventure for the whole family.

Peter Pan and his arch-nemesis Captain Hook will battle it out on stage at the Princes Hall from December 12 to January 4.

Audiences are being invited to journey with Peter, Tinkerbell, Wendy and her brothers to Neverland, where they will meet the lost boys, an Indian tribe, mermaids and fairies, as well as Captain Hook and his sidekick Smee.

Songs from High School Musical, Hairspray and pop act Pink, will feature.

The man behind Peter Pan - producing his 14th panto for the Princes Hall this year - is children’s entertainer Robert Hopkins.

In addition to playing the bumbling Smee, Robert produces and directs the panto.

The production takes a whole year to plan and execute.

The story is decided in January, the set design is worked out in February, the principal actors are chosen in May, the script is started in June, when auditions for the dancers are also held.

The dancers, who are children from dance academies from across the area, have been chosen from a talented field of more than 200.

“I think the reason it’s so popular is because we really use the kids,” said Robert. “Our choreographer, Dee West, really knows how to get the best out of them.”

Based on the classic tale by J M Barrie, the panto is action-packed, with sword fights and flying stunts.

And Barrie’s wishes are still being carried out to this day with a percentage of all sales going to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

The script for this year’s panto was written by comedy writer James Barry and many of the principal actors have returned from last year’s show, The Wizard of Oz.

These include Donovan Christian Cary who played the Cowardly Lion, Alex Minns - “Posh Al” from radio station 96.4 Eagle, who played the Queen of the Munchkins, and Robert, who played the Scarecrow.

Robert said: “I think Peter Pan is a magical story, it’s about a boy who never grows up.

“I enjoy the audience reception we get year after year. To hear the kids singing along to the songs right from the outset is just great.”

Princes Hall’s marketing and box office manager Edward Haversham said: “We are hoping to match the quality and individuality of our previous shows - plus this year’s show has the added bonus of flying.

“Tickets have been selling since January and Peter Pan is already looking like it’s going to be a record-breaking panto.”

Tickets start at £13.50 for children and seniors, and £14.50 for adults.  Group discounts are available.

Call the box office on 01252 329155 or visit www.princeshall.com to book or reserve seats.