... CREWE 'JACK AND THE BEANSTALK' BANK-HOLIDAY audiences gave a good send-off to Daymar Productions' presentation of Jack and the Beanstalk at Crewe Theatre. This well-dressed, smartly produced show, which has plenty of interest for children, as well as for their parents, is scheduled for a fortnight's slay. June Scott is a charming princi pal boy, who has acting ability, a pleasant voice ...

... HIGH WYCOMBE 'CINDERELLA' MUSIC from Sullivan's operas add lilt and distinction to this pantomime by Ronald Parr, which the Repertory Company are presenting at the Intimate. Neil Gibson's bright and breezy production, full of wit and garnished with lively topical allusion, affords a triumph of ingenious manipulation and improvisation over (he limita tions of the small stage. Colourful settings ...

... RAMSGATE 'JACK AND THE BEANSTALK' JACK AND THE BEAN-STALK, which began a fortnight's run at the Granville on Boxing Day, has a generous measure of all the essential ingredients of a successful pantomime. Presented by Bill Fraser and Robert O'Connor, it is a colourful, snappy show with the accent on comedy. Settings and costumes arc excellent, and the action is so smooth and speedy that ...

... LIVERPOOL 'BABES IN THE WOOD' HOWARD AND WYNDHAM'S production of Babes in the Wood, devised and directed by Freddie Carpenter, opened at the Royal Court on Christmas Eve. Based on a book by David Croft, it brings an entirely new and refreshing approach to the old pantomime story. There is a much more modern touch about it, especially in the dance ensembles. But perhaps the greatest ...

... HARROGATE 'ALADDIN' PENTLAND PRODUCTIONS presented Aladdin at the Royal Hall and drew large holiday audiences. They provided a colourful spectacle, with several delightful scenes rich in picturesque background, especially the cave scenes, in which the lighiing was a striking feature. The star of the production was Elton Hayes, whose singing to a guitar, in Ihe role of a strolling minstrel ...

... OLDHAM 'DICK WHIITINGTON' OLDHAM'S one and only pantomime was written for the repertory theatre club at the Coliseum by Ronald Parr, who wrote last year's effort for them. It fits the town and the company for, after opening night (Christmas Eve), the players started slipping in further local references which are going down extremely well. It's a party- piccc for indulgent uncles and aunts ...

... BRISTOL 'DICK WHITTINGTON' LOVE holds the key to every door says the fairy in V. C. Clinton Baddeley's Dick Whitlington at the Royal. It must surely be love of thc job that has enabled members of Bristol Old Vic Company, after a season of exacting work of a more serious nature, to enter into the spirit of pantomime with a freshness, verve and enthusiasm which provides exhilarating ...

... ROTHERHAM 'CINDERELLA' Dl RCY M. TURNER has always successfully contrived to present excellent pantomimes, and this year his production at the Regent is as pretty and lively as ever. Kay Hamilton is a captivating Prince Charming and her singing of such songs as Every Day of My Life, Blue Star. and the popular Have You Ever Been Lonely? are given with real verve She sings also with lovely ...

... NORWICH 'THE SLEEPING BEAUTY' CYRIL FLETCHER'S The Legend of the Sleeping Beauty opened at the Hippodrome on Christmas Eve for a twice-daily season. This captivating production is a contrast to the humdrum course of music hall pantomimes, with Julian Dove's book and music, enlivened by Gordon Hol- dom's choral arrangements of traditional airs, and Nina Walton's choreography well suited to ...

... IPSWICH 'BABES IN THE WOOD' BABES IN THE WOOD, the first pantomime to be presented at the Hippodrome since the theatre came under the control of Will Hammer, looks like being as successful in East Anglia as it was when it was presented at a Hammer theatre in Croydon last year. Strong in comedy, it has Syd Makin as Dame Trot and A! and Vic Farrell, in particularly good vein, as the Two ...

... WEYMOUTH 'CINDERELLA' /^INDERELLA, at the Alex- v-' andra Gardens Theatre, is another example of the accepted average pantomime formula. The traditional rags-to-riches plot links a number of individual acts, so that the production savours strongly of a variety bill. Leading roles in the Cinderella plot are taken by Marjoiie Murray i as Prince Charming Vera Way, a demure Cinderella: Pat Trevor ...

... BOSCOMBE MOTHER GOOSE MOTHER GOOSE, at the Hippodrome, is a largely local production which has turned out to be one of the best pantomimes ever staged at this old theatre. It is tile last production, the Hippodrome closing next month for conversion into a dance hall. Jt is a happy show and a nostalgic show. The happiness is created by a hard-working cast. The nostalgia enters when Raymond ...