8 Outlook


OUR GUIDE TO PANTOMIME


YES, it’s pantomime time again! "The time when mums and


dads, kids, grannies and grandads all look forward to some real entertainment. It’s the one type of show


where you can get humour, a good fairy story, songs and dance all rolled into one, and where you will end up shouting “Oh! Yes he did!” and “ Oh! No he didn’t!” along with all the youngsters and have a thoroughly good time. But which one do you


choose? That’s usually the difficulty. This year we’ve taken the


opportunity to have a round-up of everything from local productions to the ones with famous faces in. So all the family can sit down, decide together which one to see and then th e r e sh o u ld be no arguments! If you want to see a local


ley Mechanics in January for 10 performances from the 12th to the 20th. It’s one not to be missed and you may even see some familiar faces.


production then there’s no better than the Burnley Pantomime Society show. They always put on an ac­ tion-packed show suitable for all the family. Following last year’s success with Aladdin, the society have


the venue for Jack and the Beanstalk, which stars old hands at the panto game, John Duffy and Keith Hop­ kins. Originally the produc­ tion was for only four per- fo rm a n c e s , b u t now bookings are being taken for January 1st due to the demand for tickets. The show will run from January 1st to 6th. Moving a bit fa r th e r


Colne Municipal Hall is


afield, Halifax has had a major scoop this year in the


chosen Cinderella, which they last did more than 10 years ago, for this year’s extravaganza, and Buttons, played by Neil Tranmer, is one character to look out for. I am also reliably informed there’s plenty of audience participation so now you’ve been warned there’s no need to be bash­ ful on the night! Cinderella runs at Burn­


ALISON HANSFORD’s seasonal guide to ugly sisters, dames and girls dressed as boys


Nick” time when Jim David­ son takes to the stage as Buttons in Cinderella at the Alhambra Theatre, where Charlie Drake will be mak- in g a s p e c ia l g u e s t appearance. Despite Jim, who is also one of the show’s directors, being too near the


panto, which is starting on December 19th, include for­ mer Emmerdale Farm bad- die Peter Alexander, who plays the Emperor, and one of Britain’s funniest young comedians, Aiden J. Har­ vey. And it’s all good clean fun. But in Bradford it’s “Nick


shape of the one and only Danny La Rue, who will be donning his frilly underwear and re-creating his London Palladium role of Widow Twankey for the Civic Theatre’s production of “Aladdin And His Won­ derful Lamp.” Other attractions in this


mark sometimes, the poster for this show, which runs from December 21st to February 11th, says it’s a hilarious and traditional pantomime.


George’s Hall, Blackburn, you are promised no less than “the ultimate family pantomime,” with ITV’s new childrens presenter Mark Granger in The Excit­ ing Adventures of Robin­ son Crusoe. Also appearing in this show, which is run­ ning from December 28th to January 14th, is Colin Bean, of Dad’s Army fame.


If you go along to King But for all you Neigh­


bours fans, Preston’s Guild­ hall has a real scoop with Guy Pearce, better known as he-man Mark Young in the knockout Australian soap, appearing in what’s been marked as a “lavish” production of Cinderella.


Award, winning Florists NOW OPEN IN BURNLEY


Wonderful gift ideas for Christmas Bouquets, arrangements, p la n ts an d ted d y bears.


Let Eas thams be your Father Christmas this y ea r b y sending your g if ts which can b e delivered locally ana. nationwide. — Order your holly wrea th s NOWfor Christmas


Order bu telephone using your credit card — All the above an d lots more a t the m o s t beautiful shop in Burnley


EASTHAMS 117 ST JAMES’S STREET • BURNLEY


(next to Marks & Spencer) Also a t 31 LORD SQUARE • BLACKBURN • TEL. 53001


UNIT 17, ARNDALE CENTRE • ACCRINGTON • TEL. 399550 Telephone: Burnley 414899


Mike will play the swash­ buckling role of Dandini, a role which has previously featured ex-Professional’s man Lewis Collins. The pro­ duction, which directors say promises to be “the most glittering in the charter theatre’s history” and one of the strongest box office attractions in the country, also stars impressionist Paul Squires and singing star Tony Monopoly, and is


running from December 14th to January 13th. For a real star-studded


performances, will run from December 15th to February 25th.


panto — and hi-tech laser show — M an ch e s te r ’s Palace Theatre must take


the biscuit with th e ir impending production of Aladdin. Star of Bust and Ju s t Good Friends, TV heart-throb Paul Nicholas, the man with that smile, will top the bill as Aladdin, along with Hi De Hi man Paul Shane, who will be squeezing out of his horren­ dous checked suits and into a natty little Widow Twan­ key number. Other stars in the produc­


tion include Dear John star Pe te r Blake, as Aban- azer,and Broadway and cabaret star Eartha Kitt as Genie of the King. Sylvester McCoy and a special guest appearance by the one and only.. . Garfield! The pro­ duction, with a total of 107


Theatre is staging Jack and the Beanstalk, with the one and only Alvin Stardust as Jack, singing star Linda Nolan as Jill, and musical mirth makers Freddie and the Dreamers. The king is this year


played by former Eastender Gary Hailes. □


Santa Claus by steam


ONE way to keep children happy at the weekends leading up to Christmas would be to take them on a Santa Claus steam train ride at Embsay, near Skipton.


Dales Railway Museum Trust is running half-hourly trains on Sundays from Embsay, with Santa making his way down the old car­ riages and handing out pres­ ents to children. Fares are £2.75 for children (including a present) and £1.70 for adults. Mums, too, can have


Once again the Yorkshire


presents — for an extra £1.50. There’s no booking for


these rides, but you must book for Embsay’s Saturday party trains, which offer 70- minute parties with Santa for £4 a head, while mums and dads enjoy sherry and mince pies in an adjoining carriage. F o r c h ild ren re a l ly


hooked on Thomas the Tank Engine there’s a family day on New Year’s Day, which features Embsay’s Fat Con­ tro l le r and the Happy Engines. Steam trains run half-hourly from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.


The road to ruin


A RIBBLE VALLEY reader unearthed the fol­ lowing item in a copy of “Band of Hope Review and Children’s Friend”, dated October 1854, price one halfpenny! Have t im e s r e a l ly


1. Let him have his own way.


changed she asks? How to ruin a son


2. Allow him free use of money.


3. Suffer him to wander where he pleases on the Sabbath.


4. Give him full access to wicked companions.


5. Call him to no account of his evenings. 6. Furnish him with no fixed employment.


and you will experienct most marvellous delivi ance if you have not mourn over a debased a ruined child.


Pursue any of these wa;


the sad result, and h gone sorrowing to the g — Christian Treasury.


Thousands have real


popular choice this year, with Bolton’s Albert Halls also staging a production. Last year was the first year the Albert Halls staged their first panto and it was such a roaring success that this year they say will be even better. There’s more c h a ra c te r s and more audience participation to look forward to. Aladdin is running from December 9th to January 2nd. Blackpool ’s Grand


Aladdin seems to be a


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50