To celebrate the season of panto, the Telegraph has teamed up with the cast of Cinderella to catapult an acting novice onto the stage for a special walk-on part. Reporter SELINA MAYCOCK has been set the challenge of appearing in a show for one night only – and ahead of her main performance tonight (Thursday, December 22), she had an unexpected live practice run in front of a theatre full of children.

I'm used to sitting on the back row as a critic seeing show after show of the latest productions when they come to the region. So when I was given the chance to star in this year's Cinderella pantomime I was a little star-struck to say the least.

To discover the cast had done all their rehearsals weeks ago, with no plans for any more, I was truly in at the deep-end.

After a brief chat with the panto's writer/director Darren Johnson to find a scene suitable for me to slip into, I felt a little more at ease.

Well that was until Darren, who plays the part of Annie Fannie, said: "We've got 300 judges – 300 Craig Revel Horwood's and a front row that will tell you if you're good.

"Relax, smile and enjoy it. When I do my panto workshops I always say 'what's the worst that can happen?' If something goes wrong hundreds of people will laugh and they're supposed to laugh.

"The panto is going really well. Working with people you know makes it easier.

"They are good kids this year, hard working and really focused.

"We have a laugh both on and off stage. A little girl said to me when I had come off stage 'you stink' – it just makes you laugh.

"I've been doing panto for so long that I feel very confident, nothing phases me.

"We learn the lines until they fall off the tip of our tongue. I'm always the last to learn my lines because I wrote it but the script is more a map than a route, so anything can happen."

And it certainly did during my visit to the Plowright last week to watch the cast in action backstage and from the wings.

Before I could hide, I was told I had a trial run at that morning's performance in front of hundreds of school children.

I was handed my costume and Laura Johnson, who plays Dandini, had minutes to teach me the steps to a dance routine in the corridor during the 15-minute interval.

Talk about show-business!

Then it was down to the Fairy Godmother, played by Jackie Grimwood, to work her magic with my make-up.

Jackie said: "Everybody is a team player. The girls will come together if there is a costume malfunction – we all chip in and alter it to help each other out. It's a nice, happy bunch this year.

"It's an extremely good way of covering everything from comedy and classical to singing and dancing. It's good for experience but you have to be dedicated to work in panto."

Amanda Hawkins plays leading lady Cinderella. This is her second panto in Scunthorpe, although she has three years' panto experience.

She said: "I like the costumes, the children and the fun of it all seeing smiling faces.

"My favourite pantomime as a child was Beauty and the Beast – I played Belle with a touring theatre company but I would like to play Belle in a proper theatre."

But the big question on my lips was how does the leading lady cope with nerves?

"I still get nervous now," said Amanda.

"My family come at the weekends and on the first night of this panto we were all really nervous but it's more chilled now.

"I'm a big spiritual person so I practice meditation, breathing techniques and things like that.

"But nerves help, you have to direct them in the right way. I'd be a bit worried if I went on stage and didn't feel a little bit nervous.

"It's a nice atmosphere backstage, it's quite calm.

"You don't need to be technically great at anything. You can pull it off through comedy if you don't have a strong voice."

Hambi Pappas, who plays the role of Fanny Annie – Fanny Annie's ugly sister – has worked alongside Darren for three years, so he knows what to expect.

He said: "Rehearsals were so laid back because we have all worked together before so we know what we're expected to do and what's expected of us.

"I have heard most of Darren's jokes so he gives a line and I know when to continue with the plot. He's a very generous performer."

With a total of 54 shows in 26 days on the schedule, and up to six days where there are three performances back-to-back, it can take its toll on the performers.

"The most important thing is to plan in advance. I cannot take my make up off all day so I have to stay in the theatre so I have to prepare lunch and have things that keep my energy up" said Hambi.

"In the morning you're tired and it wakes you up, then there's the second show which is lively and by the evening you know it's a really rowdy crowd and fun show so that gets you through.

"We have banter backstage from the moment we get in until the moment we leave. It doesn't feel like work. I expected the costumes to be flamboyant, garish and hideous. Even the mini skirts – I embrace it. The audience loves it and react to it."

He offered me the following advice: "Try and enjoy it, expect anything to happen and when it does, go along with it.

"Do not take it too seriously because we certainly don't. We always give 100 per cent, we never cut corners.

"Make sure your costumes are in order. From the first weekend I had a check list of everything that I was going to be wearing. That for me was the most stressful part – getting on stage in time and in the right costume.

"If you're organised backstage you can be as chaotic on stage and try new things. It's organic, it grows and every performance is so different.

"If you make a fool of yourself it's a good thing and the audience will enjoy it – if they're enjoying it, it's a job well done."

* To buy tickets to see Selina star in tonight's show, which starts at 6.45pm, contact the box office on 0844 8542776 or log on to the Scunthorpe Theatres website