Rachel O'Connor reviews The Pied Piper of Hamlin at Yeadon Town Hall.

THE great panto tradition is alive and well at Yeadon with Yeadon Charities Association pulling off another success with The Pied Piper of Hamlin.

Although this was the 65th annual pantomime given by the Charities Association it was the first time they had performed The Pied Piper.

Arthur Lawson of course has appeared in the majority of those past performances and the 75-year-old veteran of the local stage celebrated 50 years since his first panto performance in the 1953 production of Aladdin.

Here he was again playing the buffoon as rat catcher Boris with his partner in crime Gerald Yeadon as Herman.

This pair set a marker down for the comedic aspects of the show which was taken up with gusto by the superb Dame, Gary Holmes; the hapless chef, brilliantly played by Greg Silverwood; and the delightful Gretchen (Vickie Seaman).

Another star of this all singing, all dancing production from Kath Williams was the evil Countess Baddanvile magnificently played by Caroline Cross.

Back to the all singing and all dancing. The chorus and dancing numbers were a highlight of the show, such colour, such enthusiasm.

The wardrobe and make up artists had certainly gone to town to produce a colourful spectacular which was well appreciated by the audience.

Angela Billington as Heidi enjoyed her moment of glory with the excellent solo "On My own" while Caroline Cross was well suited to the rousing "I am what I am".

But the chorus numbers were the strong point of the show with the whole cast obviouslyenjoying themselves to the full.

Under the baton of veteran Musical Director Derek Broadbent the orchestra seemed to enjoy themselves just as much as the cast.

On the relatively small confines of the Town Hall stage choreographer Jean Gledhill had worked wonders with a big cast.

Other major roles were well played by Sharon Wallace (Pied Piper), Peter Long (Mayor), Stephen Newbolt (Hans), Rachel Bell (Marta) and Alan Johnson (The Story Writer).

Tickets are available on the door for performances tonight (Thursday), Friday and Saturday at 7.15 pm with a sold out matinee on Saturday.

Tickets are £5 for children and the elderly and £7 for adults. To book tickets, call the box office on (0113) 391 0431.