OUR next pantomime is Cinderella," announced Berwick Kaler on the last night of Mother Goose. To which the Grand Opera House management might have replied: "Oh no it isn't!"

The double-booking of Cinders has now been resolved, with the Theatre Royal graciously making a switch to Sleeping Beauty. It was decided that this town was not big enough for a pair of Buttons, four ugly sisters and an infestation of white mice.

York is grateful for such an amicable resolution. Otherwise, come Christmas, families would have enjoyed their own panto gag. "Yes, boys and girls, you shall go to the balls-up."

Updated: 10:37 Tuesday, March 30, 2004