Will true love conquer all? That is the question everyone in Chipping Norton is asking. Because the theatre has been transformed into an 18th century French winter wonderland for Beauty and the Beast, from Tuesday until next year. Katherine MacAlister talks to some of the children starring in this pantomime.

* HannaH Anson, 12, is at The Marlborough School in Woodstock, lives in Bladon, and plays a ghost, villager, table, bear, sprite and moon.

Which is your favourite role?

I like being the bear.

Which is the hardest bit? Probably learning the cues.

Is it hard to remember your lines?

Not really.

Were you excited when you got the part?

At first I was just shocked. Then it hit me and I bounced around the kitchen screaming.

Why should we come and see the panto?

Because it will be the best panto ever!

Elizabeth Moulson, 11, is at Holy Trinity RC Primary School in Chipping Norton, lives in Whichford and plays a flower seller, ghost and castle sprite.

Which is the hardest bit? Learning everything.

Is it hard to remember your lines?

Not really.

Were you excited when you got the part?

Very excited. I was a swing last year, but this is even better.

Has all the hard work put you off or do you want to be an actor when you’re older?

I still want to be an actor because I like seeing smiles on people’s faces.

* Will Young, 11 is at Cotswold School, lives in Shipton Under Wychwood and is playing a painter, courtier, castle sprite and a washstand.

How much time have you spent preparing?

About two weeks, but four weeks in total.

Were you excited when you got the part?

Yes, because after four years of panto’ work, I thought they would be bored of me!

Why should we come and see the panto?

Because it is a flabbergasting experience.

* Dylan Hay, 13, is at Chipping Norton School, lives in Oxford and Charlbury and is playing a market trader, castle sprite, wolf, candlestick and ghost.

Which is your favourite role?

Wolf, because it’s the most challenging.

Which is the hardest bit?

Being able to say “Glitterball jitterbug joyful”.

How much school have you had to miss?

None yet.

Why should we come and see the panto?

Because it’s a great play.

* Erin Lilley, 11, is at Bloxham Primary School. She lives in Bloxham. She plays a painter, courtier, sink and a robot.

Which is your favourite role?

The sink, because it’s funny.

Which is the hardest bit?

Trying to keep a straight face when people are being funny around you.

Were you excited when you got the part?

I was beside myself.

Has all the hard work put you off or do you want to be an actor?

No, the hard work has been worth it and I would love to be in musical theatre when I’m older.

* James Hastings, 13, Chipping Norton School, lives in Enstone and plays a sprite, villager, ghost and candlestick.

Which is your favourite role?

Being the villager because we get a lot of stage time.

Which is the hardest bit? Remembering where to go!

How much school have you had to miss?

Only a few days, it’s well worth it!

Has all the hard work put you off ACTING?

It has inspired me even more.

* Winners of the five VIP family tickets to see Beauty and The Beast at The Theatre Chipping Norton, which include pre-show drinks, interval drinks, ice-creams, a programme and badges, as part of the Oxford Mail and The Theatre Chipping Norton’s give-away, for November 24 at 7.30pm are: Donna Rose from Bletchington, R.Busby of Long Hanborough, Jason and Lorraine Rathband from Bicester, Rob Eckton from Southmoor and Barbara Young of Kidlington.