Hundreds of families across East Lancashire will enjoy an evening of fun at a local pantomime this Christmas without realising the hours of rehearsals and hard work that has gone in to each performance. CAROLINE INNES spoke to actor turned pantomime producer George Critchley, who is responsible for six of the region's pantomimes this Christmas. . .

WELL-KNOWN to many of East Lancashire's pantomime-goers as character Silly Billy, George Critchley has earned the title Pantomime King.

Just last week he was in a pub in Barrowford when a group of women in their 50s started giggling and shouting over "Hello Silly Billy" -- almost a year after he last took to the stage.

George, said: "I just love it.

"It is such a compliment to think that almost 12 months later they remembered me and had obviously had such a good time when they came to one of our pantos."

And love it he does.

This year he has produced Aladdin, Cinderella and The Night Before Christmas, which will appear at six venues including, the Municipal Hall, Colne, the Civic Theatre, Oswaldtwistle, and the Library Theatre, Darwen.

However George, 38, who was a Shakespearean and Children's Theatre actor for 11 years, is relatively new to the pantomime scene after first appearing in Jack and the Beanstalk in Colne in January 2000.

He said: "In just four years I have become the svengali of all things panto, but it is hard not to when your job is so much fun.

"I can't think of any other job where you spend your days running around, singing and dancing with elves and pantomime dames -- and to do all that at Christmas, when everyone is more relaxed and up for a laugh, is the best."

George, who lives in Barrowford, said he remembered his first panto, Mother Goose, which he saw when he was six. He believes it is important that children today are given the chance to experience a live pantomime.

"I enjoy films and video games like anyone, but nothing can beat the thrill of live theatre. Panto is a great way to get children involved as there is so much audience participation in the shows and we work hard to impress them as it is probably their first experience of theatre.

"If they enjoy it they will be our audiences of the future, which is vital in keeping the tradition alive."

And George has nothing but praise for his East Lancashire audiences.

He added: "The audiences we have come across have just been fantastic and so much fun. I lived in London for a few years and people down there don't have the same humour and are definitely not as friendly. That is why I moved back to Lancashire --because I love the people." And for all those humbugs out there who won't brave the cold for a bit of Christmas cheer, George said: "Get out from in front of the fire and drag yourself to the theatre. With our pantos you are guaranteed a quality production, fantastic actors and a night of fun that will really get you in the Christmas spirit."

Aladdin is currently running at Oswaldtwistle Town Hall (box office 01254 380293).