After all the hype and the big name announcements the waiting is finally over as Aladdin gets underway at New Wimbledon Theatre tonight.

If you have been living on Mars for the last two months or somehow managed to avoid the posters plastered on the side of London busses or all over the underground, then you'll have missed the pretty impressive line up accumulated for this year's production.

In a rare move the theatre decided to have guest stars playing the role of the genie while panto veteran Brian Blessed will be a constant throughout as the evil Abanaza as will Ashley Day, who played Troy Bolton in the UK tour of High School Musical, as Aladdin.

First up to take on the mantle of the genie is broadcaster and irrepressible comedienne Ruby Wax, who will no doubt give Blessed a run for his money as the loudest person on the stage.

She will be accompanying Aladdin as he chases the affections of Princess Jasmine for the first 10 days (Dec 4 to 13) before handing over to one of the more surprising and eagerly anticipated of the names takes to the stage, Pamela Anderson.

"I again am playing Pamela Anderson's body double," says Wax.

"She is only doing two weeks, but since we are indistinguishable I have said OK I'll do her for another week."

Former Baywatch star Anderson will take over from Wax, who actually did a Ruby Wax Meets show with the American, and perform in panto for the first time.

Still one of the most photographed and internet-searched women in the world, Anderson's two weeks (Dec 15 to 27) as the Genie will no doubt dominate the review pages in national papers all over the world.

After Anderson, Anita Dobson (Dec 28 to Jan 3) will be stepping into the breach.

Best-known for her role as EastEnders' tempestuous Angie Watts, the first ever landlady of the Queen Vic pub in the 1980's, Dobson has gone on to work in various programmes including Casualty, Holby City and Hotel Babylon and been in numerous West End productions.

“Panto is such a great British tradition," says Dobson.

"It's so important for young children to experience the magic of live theatre for the first time and I’m honoured to have been asked to be a part of that.

"I was taken to my first pantomime by my family when I was just four years old, and - as is often the case - it began a life-long love of theatre.”

Completing the merry-go-round of Genies will be talk show host and general all round funny man Paul O'Grady (Jan 5 to 10).

Having not appeared in panto since 2005, when he suffered a heart attack on stage, this will no doubt be a triumphant return to the stage.

“I am really excited to be back in panto this year having not done one for some time," he says.

"This is also the first time I’ll be playing a goodie as I’ve been the villain in most of my other stage roles.

"Having made a living frightening children it’s probably time I aired my softer side. If I can find one in time”.

Aladdin, New Wimbledon Theatre, The Broadway, December 4 to January 10, various times, £15 to £27. Call 0844 871 7646 or visit ambassadortickets.com/wimbledon.