AWARD-winning scriptwriter Jon Monie is back at Bath’s Theatre Royal this Christmas for his 18th pantomime.

His first appearance in 1996 was playing Dandini in Cinderella, performing alongside Patsy Palmer, Bella Emberg and Derek Nimmo.

Now, he’s back with a bang, having written this year’s pantomime Beauty & The Beast in its entirety for the first time.

In the past, Mr Monie, who lives in Holt, has contributed to the scripts for many previous pantomimes at the Theatre Royal, as well as being famed for his ab libbing during performances.

Earlier this year, Jon won the award for Best Script at the 2019 Great British Pantomime Awards for Beauty & The Beast for UK Productions at the Blackpool Grand Theatre.

Mr Monie said: “It had a record-breaking season there and got good reviews, winning a best script award at the Great British Pantomime Awards, which was very gratifying.

“The awful thing was I didn’t get to see show I’d written. I was too busy playing in Peter Pan in Bath over Christmas.

“I suggested to Theatre Royal that they could put it on this year and after talks between producers and the theatre it was agreed they would.”

As well as writing the show, Mr Monie plays the comedy role of Louis La Plonk, alongside BBC EastEnders actor Nick Wilton as the pantomime Dame, Polly La Plonk.

Wendi Peters plays Fairy Bon-Bon, while Shaun Dalton plays the roles of the Beast and the Prince. Belle is played by Claire Maynard. Ben Harlow appears as Hugo Pompidou, while Marcus Knibbs will play Clement.

Once again, the delightful dancers from the Dorothy Coleborn School of Dance will feature in this year’s production.

Beauty and the Beast will be directed by Michael Gattrell, who directed last year’s pantomime, Peter Pan, during which Mr Monie celebrated his 1,000th performance at the Theatre Royal.

The production runs from Thursday, December 12 to Sunday, January 12. Tickets from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 01225 448844, or book online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk