The King and I, Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

Perhaps it was Jack and the Beanstalk that made people think all Alhambra shows have audience participation.

That certainly explains the noises from the auditorium during Tuesday's long but hugely enjoyable performance of The King and I.

Bleeping watches, sweetbag scrunching, out-of-tune singalongs and loud discussion of plot points made this quite a free for all.

Thankfully, this bewitching musical is as much about sight as sound: the glittering costumes and breathtaking sets are among the chief pleasures. They form a perfect setting for some of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most tuneful and evocative songs. Then there's the story: a captivating culture clash as British governess Anna gets to know the King of Siam.

But despite the cute children and funny interplay between Anna and the King, not everything is fluffy. In the gripping second act people argue, fight and die.

That said, you must look elsewhere for true grit -- Les Miserables for instance -- for the King and I is more a chocolate box of tantalising, varied and quick tastes.

It's enough to hold the attention throughout, even if the otherwise-excellent cast's diction is sometimes mushy. And even if some people's idea of a good night out at the theatre involves a chomp, chant or chunter.

* Until March 15. Book at Keighley Information Centre in the town hall, or phone 01274 432000.

David Knights

Puss in Boots, Cullingworth Village Hall

You certainly got your money's worth at this year's pantomime from Cullingworth's CADS group. Not one principal boy but two. Not one principal girl but three.

Four comedians instead of two, two cats instead of one and even a pantomime horse.

In fact, there were enough principal characters in Puss in Boots to give half the village a decent part.

And that half of the village rose to the task with gusto, making this one of the most enjoyable local pantos of the season.

The main reason was musical director Helen Richmond's choice of songs -- diverse, extensive and imaginative -- and the cast rising admirably to her challenge. Laura Hudson, Jane Barrett, Charlotte Kellett, Joelle Richmond, Ashley Howse and Victoria Florence particularly deserve praise for their singing.

And the younger chorus's oh-so-cute rendition of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious -- like several of their scenes -- was a deserved crowd-pleaser. The comedy was chucklesome rather than hilarious, a couple of scenes falling flat, but in the main it kept things bubbling.

George Bingham among the comedians was particularly good and I liked John Wright as the ogre. Shelley Hudson shone in the small role of town crier. The second act kept up the pace and, despite being three songs too long, finished on a nice note with chorus members announced by name. Puss in Boots had no ambitions other than to give villagers a good night out and as such it definitely succeeded.

David Knights

Blithe Spirit, Bingley Arts Centre

Noel Coward's classic comedy proved a popular choice for Bingley Little Theatre, with a larger-than-normal first night audience. Yes, it was a long piece, with few opportunities for cuts -- and the seats at the Arts Centre aren't exactly designed for comfort over long periods.

But the production fairly romped along and there were laughs a-plenty, though not as many as the giggling woman in front of me found from the minute the house lights went out.

Gilly Rogers's Elvira, matched by June Purdy's Madame Arcarti, stole the show. And I guarantee young Stephanie Burton, who played the maid, will be back on stage time and time again. There were no credits in the programme for make-up but the ghostly effects were super. And Stephen Jackson, who designed his first set, is on course to follow in the footsteps of an always excellent team.

* Tonight/tomorrow 7.30pm. Phone 01274 752000 for tickets.

Sylvia Thompson