The Arena Panto will return to SETU Arena this Christmas with a production of Snow White.

The production follows last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk, which attracted just under 12,000 people to the venue over the Christmas period.

Country singer Cliona Hagan will make her Arena Panto debut as the wicked Queen Draganella.

More than 80 young performers from Waterford and across the South East will also be involved in this year’s production.

Organisers say this year’s production will build on the inaugural Arena Panto, with increased audience capacity and changes to the staging, lighting and overall production.

Speaking at the launch, Mayor of Waterford Cllr. Liam Brazil said: ‘Last year’s Arena Panto was a fantastic addition to Waterford’s Christmas programme and brought thousands of people into the city from right across Ireland. It was wonderful to see the atmosphere it created and the positive impact it had on local businesses and the wider community.’

Waterford’s Holly Ryan will return to play Snow White, with Richie Hayes appearing as The Man in the Mirror, Michael Sands as Dame Nanny Nora, Evan O’Hanlon as the Prince and Alex Kavanagh as The Spirit of the Panto.