RADIO presenters from rival stations are teaming up to provide buckets of festive fun for North-East youngsters this Christmas as Newcastle Opera House's seasonal pantomime, Aladdin, approaches.

It brings together two of the region's most listened to radio hosts, who appear as genial genie and the slave of the ring.

Evergreen broadcaster Paddy MacDee takes a break from his afternoon show on BBC Radio Newcastle to take the part of the genie, while Lisa Shaw, of Metro Radio's Breakfast Show, is cast as the glamorous Slave of the Ring.

They will be performing their trickery to aid West End actress Cathy Cogle, who takes the lead role in the traditional desert romp.

Paddy will be popping up on to the stage through the trapdoor at the Opera House, which features the only original understage machinery still in operation in Britain.

The panto is backed by London-based John Warwick Associates and promises to be a glittering affair, with the finest sets and costumes, plus a show-stopping score.

It runs from Thursday, December 14 to Saturday December 30.

Tickets will be available from the box office at the Opera House, in Newcastle's Westgate Road, on 0191-232 0899.

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