Simon Wegrzyn, who will be producing this year's Christmas panto at The Castle, Wellingborough, is promising to put on a show to thrill audiences of all ages.

He said: "We are here to create exciting mayhem."

Mr Wegrzyn was at The Castle this week holding auditions for the festive production of Alice in Wonderland on Wednesday and Thursday.

He said: "The auditions have been brilliant, we had thousands of applications which makes it really difficult to get through because you have to be really cut-throat."

Out of the applicants 70 professional actors were chosen to audition for the main parts, and Mr Wegrzyn will spend the next few days considering who best fits the parts.

Aged just 25, Mr Wegrzyn is hoping to inject a lot of youth and vibrancy into the production, particularly as he has a background in circus entertainment which he hopes to bring in.

Audiences can expect entertainment ranging from stilt-walking and acrobatics, to clowns and magic tricks in the musical production.

Mr Wegrzyn said: "It is everything a family production should be, and we are focusing on the children a lot. I think circus skills are something that can wow them and excite them.

"We want them to love the theatre and go back to their homes wanting to learn all the dance routines and the tricks."

Mr Wegrzyn has worked on various shows before, as well as recently starring in BBC Three's Wannabes.

He is based in London, but has already started to form an opinion of Wellingborough.

He said: "It's a lovely place.

"And it is a fantastic theatre for me to work in, the staff are very friendly and organised, which is what you need when you're putting on a show."

The production will be the English premiere of Alice in Wonderland.

The Castle's chief executive Gail Arnott said: "Simon has directed successful shows around the country and we are delighted to have him on board as a director at The Castle.

"This year's Christmas show is set to be a spellbinding, interactive musical that families will truly enjoy."