KATHERINE MacALISTER meets the stars of this season’s traditional Playhouse pantomime, Cinderella.

CINDERS: Cinderella’s smile lights up the room as she talks about her prince.

“I’m very pleased with my Prince Charming, he’s a real man,” she says, “and we fall instantly in love. But then he needs to be because this is the ultimate fairy tale.”

And she’s right because Natalie Tulloch, 23, right, is going to be playing the role of every little girl’s dreams – Cinderella. And you can see why she was picked; her slender frame, long mane of glossy brown hair, glowing complexion, sparkling eyes, beaming smile and beautiful voice, make her perfect for the part.

“I’m very excited,” she smiles. “And as soon as the curtain goes up I will forget all my nerves because just looking at all those young faces will remind me why I’m there, and that’s why I’m doing it, to make them believe in Cinderella and take them off to another world.

“Because pantomime should be a magical experience, with lots of laughing, smiling and Christmassy feelings so that everyone believes in happy endings.”

Which leads us on to the most important question – what will Cinderella wear to the ball?

“I can’t say, but I have seen the costumes and my clothes are so beautiful that I’m really pleased with them. They’re gorgeous, even the rags look good!”

Clothes, kissing, Prince Charming – it sounds like bliss, until you remember the one key factor – the Ugly Sisters. So how bad are they? “Oh, really evil. But at the same time it’s really hard not to laugh at them because they are so funny, so keeping a straight face is difficult at times,” Natalie admits.

So what can this year’s Playhouse panto audience expect then? “To be utterly spellbound,” Natalie promises.

THE UGLY SISTERS: Lady Gaga and Katie Perry in Oxford? Where, when? At the Oxford Playhouse over Christmas, otherwise known as The Ugly Sisters.

Which says it all. Because the Ugly Sisters are going to be a triumph this year. And by rolling the dame and the pantomime baddie into their two corseted dresses, Miles Western and Justin Brett, left, look set to steal the show.

So what qualities do this terrible twosome need to play the Ugly Sisters to greatest effect.

“A complete lack of inhibitions,” Miles laughs, “but we have to put our own take on it because it’s got to be fun to do and fun to watch,” before Justin interrupts: “but we obviously don’t need to be ugly as you can tell from our dashing good looks. In fact I think the only thing the rest of the cast will feel is envy.” Cue evil laugh.

But give them 40 minutes in the hair and make-up chair and these two burly lads will be transformed into pop princesses with a villainous attitude.

“You will love us and hate us at the same time because we steal all the funny lines,” Miles promises. “I’m not sure about pop princesses, we look more like Monster Truckers,” Justin interjects. “But the costume changes can get quite frenetic!”

And do the dastardly duo get on off stage as well as on? “ Yes there is chemistry,” Miles jokes. “But there’s got to be bonding between the sisters because we are basically husband and wife until January.

“Wife and wife” Justin corrects him. “We are even sharing a dressing room for six weeks. But we are really looking forward to it. It’s going to be a laugh and we are slowly getting used to walking about in our heels now.”

So which one will be wearing Lady Gaga’s meat dress?

“Ooh, I don’t know. I mean, where would I put my chipolatas?” Miles quips, and with a toss of his head he’s tottering back to rehearsals resplendent in his kitten mules, with Justin following hot on his heels.

Pity poor Cinders! But one thing’s for sure – the Fairy Godmother’s got her work cut out for her.

* Oxford Playhouse’s home grown traditional pantomime is Cinderella, playing from tomorrow through to Sunday, January 16. Book online at oxfordplayhouse.com or call 01865 305305