Pantomime is back at the Grand Opera House, York, after a year's gap.

Lynne McGranger, alias Irene Roberts from the teatime Australian soap Home And Away, will lead the cast of Jack And The Beanstalk, from December 17 to January 10.

Playing Fairy Peapod, she will fulfil her own wish to perform in York.

"Lynne's friends told her to have a look at our theatre when she visited York at the end of her panto run in Torquay last January," said general manager Ian Sime. "So she came to see Christmas Spirit Of The Dance, fell in love with the place and made it her intention to play here this Christmas."

New Pantomime Productions, the London company who had staged Jack And The Beanstalk on the south coast, duly contacted the Opera House owners, Apollo Leisure, with a view to bringing the panto to York.

"We did our research into the show, and we learned it was a big hit in Torquay at the Princess Theatre, where it did very, very good business performing to lots of sell-out houses," said Mr Sime. As at Torquay, the Australian's co-stars will be Khan, the 6ft 4in, 18-stone Gladiator from Serbia, in the role of Billy Trott, and Tony Adams, formerly moustachioed Crossroads smoothie Adam Chance, but now Fleshcreep in pantoland.

More star names will be added ahead of the December rehearsals in York as the Opera House seeks to assemble a production to rival the success of the Irish dance spectacular last Christmas. Tickets will go on sale from tomorrow at the Opera House box office, with all children's seats at £6 and adult prices yet to be confirmed. To make a booking, ring 01904 671818.

York Theatre Royal has already announced that Berwick Kaler will be on dame duty yet again in his 20th York panto, starring in Beauty And The Beast, from December 15 to January 30.

Everyone who booked tickets for the last two Theatre Royal pantos will be sent details in the week beginning April 20. The ticket draw for the infamous last night will take place on May 9; personal bookings can be made at the theatre from May 16 and postal and telephone bookings open on May 18.

The box office number is 01904 623568.

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