VAL PENNETT reviews the Yeadon Charities pantomime 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' at Yeadon Town Hall until

This production of 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' will be another success for Yeadon Charities Association.

Friday's large first night audience loved it. Children in the hall were dancing in the aisles, adults too all joining in the fun.

Once again a real family pantomime 'comes to town' and the production team of Kath Williams, Derek Broadbent and Jean Gledhill can be justly proud.

Written by Peter Long and Keith Rawnsley and set around a circus it gives scope for colour to go overboard. And so it does.

First and foremost are the costumes. Wonderfully thought out and beautifully coloured in the most impressive rich jewel colours making some full company scenes, especially the finale, positively dazzling to the eye. Congratulations to Joyce Hey, Dawn Wild and helpers.

Sets too were colourful, lighting and special effects good with a very pretty UV number 'Send In The Clowns'.

Lighting was by Paul Dennison with John Trenouth in charge of the excellent sound system.

At the head of this large cast was Emma Wood as Goldilocks, This 15 year-old was charming. She looked lovely in some delightful costumes. She has a pleasing stage presence and sang beautifully, especially 'Colours Of My Life'. An ideal Goldilocks.

The audience loved the three bears and particularly Baby Bear played by Emily Topham, who was very appealing.

Their musical numbers 'Bear Necessities' and 'Teddy Bears Picnic' , the latter with the Sunbeams, were delightful.

Mother and Father Bear were played by Doreen Seaman and Gerald Yeadon. It would have been nice to have seen the bears with a bit more to do.

Playing Principal Boy for the second time is Tracy Annal, giving an assured and effective all round performance.

I felt she needed hats, especially for the finale. There were pleasing duets with Goldilocks, both looking good together,

Phil Hopkins made an excellent Dame. Phil is always at home ad-libbing with the audience. The number 'Kids' with the Sunbeams was great.

Pat Poole, beautifully costumed, played Romany Rose and Les Fryer was baddie Von Trappem. Arthur Lawson in his very colourful jackets played Mayor Zeedotes. There were some good comedy sequences, the diving scene and knife throwing going down well with the audience.

Ian White in his usual cheeky character and Caroline Cross playing the dizzy Penelope were well partnered and their song 'I Wanna Be Loved By You' really enjoyable.

Peter Long and Frank Mottram played Dun and Dusted and together had a good musical number 'The Old Bazaar in Cairo'.

Dancers and Sunbeams always play a large part in Yeadon panto and here was no exception. Some of the dancing was disappointing. Sunbeams always shine but some routines seemed to need more flair and innovation and the pace was slow at times.

Company numbers looked and sounded wonderful, songs such as 'Join the Circus' and the finale song 'Lifting The Roof'.

Always singing was of a high standard with an excellent band to highlight the evening.

Next year's pantomime will be 'Babes In The Wood' with the same production team in charge.

The pantomime will as usual fund the annual Yeadon Charities trip for the town's older people.

The trip will be on June 24 when around 400 people will be taken to Cleethorpes for the day.

Panto performances are due to continue at Yeadon Town Hall at 7.15pm tonight, Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a matinee performances at 2pm on Saturday.

Tickets at £7.50, and £5.50 concessions are available from the Town Hall Box Office on 0113 3910431.