ALADDIN is like the Olympics for panto star Emma Thornett –oh yes it is! She’s back in Surrey to take on the role of the young boy with a magic lamp for the third time in eight years. Now a puppeteer for the West End production of War Horse, she made her pantomime debut at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre back in 2008, then returned to reprise the role in 2012 and has chosen to sustain her record, claimingthe Aladdin title for 2016 as well!

“I’d never puppeteered before so I learnt a new skill! I had two weeks of intensive puppetry training, learning all the ethos of puppetry, every aspect of a horse – how they think and breathe as a pack animal and how they sound. I feel really blessed to have been a part of it and I’ll always draw on my experience from that show for future productions.” Now, Emma’s thoughts have turned to panto – and Christmas. “I love the food and the presents of course,” she says. “But I get really moved when I hear anybody sing carols – I’m a bit of a softie though, I cry at anything!” lEMMA Thornett will star as Aladdin at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre from tomorrow (Friday 9 December)