ROWNTREE Players kick off the York pantomime season with Sinbad The Sailor next Tuesday to Saturday at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York.

For John Morley's version of Sinbad, producer Eileen Lavender has selected a cast of 30 experienced pantomime hands and promising new signings.

Meika Jackson takes a break from her duties as cycling instructor/traffic spotter and mum to play the principal boy again, while teenagers Alexandra McKenzie Wilcox and Grace Bird make their debut appearance with the Players in the principal girl roles of Princess Pearl and Talida respectively.

Graham Bilton, who was a comic robber in last year's Babes In The Wood, dons the dame's wig and skirts to play Mrs Sinbad and is partnered by Jeanette Feetenby, whose Tinbad the Tailor gives her the chance to demonstrate her comedy talents and ability to encourage audience participation.

Two of the "aggressive ladies" from the Players' production of Sandcastles, Chris Rigg and Lynn Marsh, display their versatility with a complete change of character: Chris plays the comedy part of Mustapha Kit Kat while Lynn is transformed into the Old Man of the Sea.

A show with two principal girls necessitates two villains and the Players' specialists in villainy are the brace of Andys: Mr Andy Love as Sinistro, the wicked sorcerer, and Mr Andy Welch as Crunchbones, the witch doctor.

They are joined in the baddie corner by Katrina Knowles's evil priestess, Bludruncolda. Meanwhile, Peter Major couples the role of Wazir with the duties of the Master of the Properties, a task that requires him to create a remarkable range of props.

Others in the cast are Sophie Bernstein and Sarah McIntyre, as the Ladies of the Harem, and David Alsop, as Caliph, and there will be dance specialities by the Isobel Dunn School of Dancing. The show's musical director is David Spencer.

Sinbad The Sailor will transport the audience to a different world, a world of high seas and magic, as Sinbad seeks to find Princess Pearl, who has been whisked away by Sinistro to the Island of Nirvana. On his way, many adventures will befall him.

Producer Eileen Lavender says: "This year's pantomime promises to be full of colour, dancing and singing: a show to be enjoyed by all members of the family."

Next Saturday's 2.30pm matinee has sold out already but tickets remain available for the 7.30pm performances on December 11 to December 15, priced at £7, concessions £5. To book, ring the York Theatre Royal box office on 01904 623568.

All net proceeds from the first night will go to Martin House Hospice in Boston Spa. "So please help us to help children," says Eileen.