For many families pantomime season marks the start of Christmas celebrations and, amid the current financial gloom, we seem more in need of some festive cheer this year than ever.
Gala Theatre in Durham tends to be the first in the region to open its panto run and this season is no different, with its annual treat opening this Wednesday night for a seven-week run. Once again, it will be offering a twist on a traditional fairytale - albeit with a different team at the helm.
Sleeping Beauty has been written by Gary Kitching and this tale by the actor, screenwriter and playwright sees a young Briar Rose plot to flee, with her dog, from plans to marry her off to the poetry-mad Prince Chad of Middles-boroughly. But the Evil Witch, Karen, is out to cast a curse which will send the princess to sleep for 100 years.
