... RAMSGATE 'ALADDIN' THIS year's pantomime at the Granville, Ramsgate, is Aladdin, directed by Bunny Baron, his third at this theatre. For success, it follows close on the heels of his previous pantomime here, Robin Hood. Zesiful Hazel Wilson, having played the part of Aladdin for a number of managements, is confi- i dent and polished. Neville Kennard i is an excellent dame and as Widow ...

... SOUTHPORT 'GOLDILOCKS' COVERED with stardust the Southport Repertory Company panto Goldilocks and the Three Bears shimmers and bubbles through nearly three hours of first grade entertainment. Personalities, costumes and pro duction combine with the intimate atmosphere of Rep to bring the town a show that is worth seeing again and again. Written by former producer, Donald Bodley, it is ...

... WOLVERH'TON 'DICK WHITTINGTON' NO one pop star takes up a 40-minute spot in this year's pantomime, Dick Whittington, at the Grand, Wolverhampton. No one pop star detracts from the traditional pantomime make-up. And what a livelier and more balanced show it is for this reason! What it lacks in siapsticK comcay, it cer tainly makes up for in spectacle and song. The show bounces into ...

... SOUTHSEA 'BABES LN THE WOOD' ONE of the most spectacular pantomimes to be staged at the theatre for many years, Babes in the Wood at the King's Theatre is excellent family entertainment. In the fourteen glittering scenes, the accent is on colour with taking eftects and gorgeous cos tumes. and music and fun is per fectly blended. Mike and Bernie Winters keep tbe fooling cracking along at a ...

... COVENTRY 'MOTHER GOOSE' THIS year ii is Mother Goose. a S H. Newsome presentation, that will he p aying at the Coventry Theatre for a season extending well into the New Year. As usual here, the story is the thing. Deftly woven into the moral la'e of Mother Goose and her dangerous vanity are the talents of a east which includes George Lacy, Eve Boswell, Sally Barnes and young Welsh comedian. ...

... CANTERBURY 'MOTHER GOOSE' MOTHER GOOSE, at thc Marlowe, was enthusiastically received by the Boxing Day audiences. Its success is to some extent due to the fact that no attempt is made to go beyond the limitations of the theatre. Emphasis is placed on the story out loo many distractions, and pro ducer Pat Sandys has, as a result, provided a show which appeals to both young and old. The ...

... EXMOUTH 'PUSS IN BOOTS' WITH a deft hand producer Joyce Worsley created success with thc West of England Theatre Company's Christmas presentation of Nicholas Stuart Gray's Puss in Boots, at the Sayoy. Norman Rose excelled in the title role and showed agile versatility. As Gerard, Barry Wilsher gave understanding to thc part. To gether their performance left little to be desired. Another ...

... STOCKTON-ON-TEES 'ROBINSON CRUSOE' WITH Ken Platt heading the comedians, shapely Joy Marlowe playing Robinson Crusoe, and Morton Fraser's Harmonica Rascals providing lively interludes, Robinson Crusoe was assured of a successful three-week run when it opened at the Globe on Boxing Day. Thc production, by Charles King, presented by Lew and Leslie Grade, in association with Will Collins, is ...

... BATH 'JACK AND JILL' THERE is no better-mounted pantomime in the provinces than a Maddox pantomime, and this year there is some breath-taking colour in Frank Maddox's production, at the Royal, of Jack and Jill, which owes a great deal to the design of Mrs. Nellie Maddox. It is all delightfully fresh, and this is reflected in the playing of the large cast. It is good, too, to see the ...

... BLACKBURN 'CINDERELLA' THERE is a curious mix of ancient and modern about Frank H. Fortescue's Cinderella.'' which opened for a three-week season at the Grand on December 23. The book adheres closely to the traditional pattern and the principals have their own ideas for freshening the theme. All but i he principal boy. Jean Campbell. Mine, Turner's Girls, and ihe speciality Profe sor ...

... BRIGHTON 'CINDERELLA' CINDERELLA, at the Hippo drome, has all the traditional trappings, powdered wigs, pure white ponies and a sparkling coach lo lake Cinders to the ball. It has, too, something else, Derek Roy as Buttons. There are times when this googly-eyed comic submerges self in ihe somewhat pathetic part >f Buttons, but for the most part lie is himself; thc polished and ex ...

... ST. ANDREWS 'BEAUTY AND THE BEAST' THIS fairy play by Nicholas Stuart Gray was given at the Byre Theatre. The author has approached the old fairy story from an original angle and has made it admirable Christmas entertainment, full of magic for children and humour for the adults. The part of Beauty provided an j admirable vehicle for the polished j acting of Una McLean. The Beast was equally ...