PANTOMIME in Leigh is a little like the cinema. You only really appreciate it when it's gone.

Fortunately, unlike Manchester where 'Aladdin' - the big show at the Palace - has closed three weeks ahead of schedule, it's still with us.

And this week St Joseph's Players launched into their 49th variation with the approved carnival fusion of colour, chaos and down-to-earth fun.

'Sinbad the Sailor' is the company's boldest venture yet - their FIRST under new director Doreen Johnson, their FIRST from the professionally-written circuit, their FIRST with the accent firmly on youth.

And it's a big winner!

Steered by four main characters (Kathryn Chadwick as Sinbad, David Dunlop as Tinbad, Katherine Roberts as Mrs Sinbad and David Hodgkinson as Sinistro) the show bounces along at rapid pace, punctuated by some potent and pulsating dance routines choreographed by Beverley Yates and featuring the company's youngest-ever troupe.

Pop blends with standard as the music flows, mellow and strident, amid a galaxy of comedy capers.

Sinbad has never had it so good. Nor has Leigh!

Also in the main cast: Margaret Hall, Adrian Ridyard, Angela Grime, Clare Nash, Paddy Costello, Emma Parkinson, Barbara Mayers, David Grime, Donna Wood, Maureen Young, Terry McCabe, Jenny Shaw, Garth Waddup, John Martin.

Chorus: Nicola Reynolds, Hazel Speakman, Catherine Hall, Michelle Atherton, Joanne Philbin, Edel Atherton, Catherine Clegg, Anne Clegg, Stephanie Woods, Rachael Robinson.

The show runs to February 10.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.