With every Jack, Dick and Fairy out there putting on a panto this year, it can be hard to decide which to go to, and many companies put in something different to draw the punters in. And the Compass Theatre has added something rather special to its production of Cinderella this year – animated scenery.

“The back of the stage is painted to be like a blank open book and the scenery is projected onto that page,” explains London Film School graduate Alasdair Beckett-King, the scenery’s designer. “A lot of the time there are fixed backdrops with animated elements – a bird flying past the window – and then there are more complex scenes like flying through the air to the palace and a chase scene in the forest, with trees whipping past.

“The idea behind the big book is the audience stepping inside the story, scaling the story up – or the audience down.”

David Kemp, the show’s producer, adds: “The scenery enhances the performance by coming to life, it makes the whole experience more magical.”

As well as the scenery, Cinderella promises another slight twist – at the ball. “The ball won’t be traditional,” laughs David. “I can’t give it away but what the Ugly Sisters and the guests will be wearing is a bit ludicrous.”

  • Cinderella is at Compass Theatre, Glebe Avenue, Ickenham from December 13-29 at various times. Details: 01895 673200, www.compasstheatre.co.uk