The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe

The director's chair at Glusburn Pantomime is under new ownership -- and she took along her own house to put it in!

Cononley panto director Linda Blenkhorn took along her script, her scenery and some of her production crew to revive the show in Glusburn.

And in the main, despite swapping Cononley adult principals for an all-child cast, she continued Glusburn's well-earned reputation for good family entertainment.

As usual this is a show where the songs, story and smiling faces count for more than other pantos' slick slapstick and memorable characterisations.

We are entertained by a story of a wicked squire, thwarted romance, missing children and -- I'm sure this wasn't in the original nursery rhyme -- a space rocket.

The singing of the chorus is particularly good this year, in a succession of traditional panto songs that packed the stage with children.

There are some good solo performances, most notably Emma Seward as principal girl Sally and Karansa Booth as the child catcher.

Also among the better performers are Helen Benson as Dame Wellyboot, Luke People as Peter, and Danny Olsson as Constable Trunch.

The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe is a panto for the cast's families, and anyone else with young children.

But that's not to belittle it: the show is bright, breezy, colourful, sounds and looks good and doesn't overstay its welcome.

And it's on tonight at 7pm, and tomorrow at 2.30pm and 7pm. Book at Glusburn Post Office or phone 01535 633140.

David Knights