A recent memory of the Theatre Royal Brighton comes from Brenda Pollack, of Hollingdean Terrace, Brighton, who took her four-year-old daughter Gemma Todd to her first pantomime - Aladdin - in January.

Gemma was so excited at seeing other girls on the stage, she decided she wanted to join them and enrolled at a drama school.

Her brother Ben, eight, was similarly impressed after meeting his hero Chico and decided he wanted to give up football in favour of dancing.

Ms Pollack said: "They were absolutely enthralled with the whole experience. Gemma was particularly taken with the young girls in the dance troupe.

"She asked why she couldn't be in a show like that. When it ended she was devastated and was inconsolable all the way home because she wanted it to go on and on.

"The next day she woke up and said, when can we go and see Aladdin again, Mummy?'."

Gemma's drama school is now preparing for a small show at the Corn Exchange in the summer.

It is hoped in a year or two she might be good enough to appear on the Theatre Royal stage.

Ben, however, found it difficult to give up football and has forgotten his dream of following in Billy Elliot's footsteps.