Four-legged friends share the stage with human performers when Keighley Amateurs present the pantomime Cinderella.

The family show will feature a real pony pulling an illuminated coach as Cinders sets off for the ball.

There'll also be Freddie the donkey , in the more familiar panto style of two people in a costume, in the January 28-February 4 panto.

The creatures will join regulars like Rachel McMahon as Prince Charming and Peter Whitley as Buttons at Victoria Hall.

Producer Keith Marsden said Peter, the Amateurs' ever-popular lead comic, is excited about playing his first Buttons for the society.

Rachel is no stranger to the principal boy role, even though she played the principal girl in last year's Goody Two Shoes.

She will perform opposite Antonia Gentile (Cinderella), excellent as last year's fairy, and Helen Gallagher (Dandini).

Keith said: "Helen has accomplished that awkward transition from child performer to older roles."

The ugly sisters are Mark Brown and Richard Lloyd, who last year played the dame and the bad guy.

He said: "I don't see the ugly sisters as dames -- they play off each other, insulting each other, and are the nearest you get to baddies in Cinderella."

Performing with Keighley Amateurs for the first time in several years is long-time member Louise Hindle-Barton.

Louise, who played Cinderella about 30 years ago, will this time be the fairy godmother.

Also appearing are Keighley stalwarts Peter Greenwood and Robert Lister, as well as comedy bad guys Pete Kewley and Tony Howley.

Keighley is joined by Patsy Peacock as choreographer and Sophie Shepherd as physical director.

Book for 7.15pm performances (except Monday), plus Saturday and Sunday matinees, at Reids bookshop in Cavendish Street, Keighley, or phone 01535 606567.

n Two performers were late for the party -- but they'll be ready by opening night for Keighley Playhouse!

The two actors stepped in halfway through the rehearsal schedule to take over roles in the play The Garden Party.

One of the original cast had badly injured her knee while another had a family member involved in a bad car accident.

With just 15 rehearsals to go, the replacements began work on the story of family secrets uncovered at a 70th birthday celebration.

The cast is led by Jan Darnbrough and Stuart Farrell with Sheila Kershaw, Jean Driver and Dale Chadwick.

Laura Judge is joined by her 13-year-old son Bradley who played puppy Lucky in the Playhouse's Christmas production 101 Dalmatians.

The Garden Party runs Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm. book on 0845 126 7859 or 01535 604764.

n Teenagers can strut their funky stuff in the disco-tastic new show from Skipton youth theatre Little Sods.

Organisers already have girls and younger boys for musical Disco Inferno but need overs-13s to sing and dance.

Little Sods spokesman John Dewhurst rehearsals were underway for the February 27-March 4 show in Skipton Town Hall.

He said: "There are seven or eight energetic numbers, Top 10 tracks from the 1970s. They'll be wearing fantastic gear."

Phone 01535 658935 or 637779.

n Sutton Amateurs need keyboard players to accompany singers for Monday and Wednesday rehearsals of its April musical Carousel. Anyone interested should phone David Boddy on 01535 662944.

n The Savoy Singers, formed 11 years ago by former members of Bradford at Gilbert and Sullivan Society, are seeking a new musical director.

The 20 members, who sing old and new songs, songs from the shows and well-known Gilbert and Sullivan numbers, have raised £12,000 for charity.

"They are a group of people from all areas of Bradford and district who sing for pleasure but maintain a high standard," says member Shirley Briggs.

Rehearsals are currently on Thursdays. Phone Shirley on 273348.

n Shakespeare in the raw, Chekhov with a twist and Bad Girls on song -- part of the new West Yorkshire Playhouse Season.

The Leeds theatre hosts Northern Broadsides' trilogy of Shakespearean dramas The Wars of the Roses on March 24-April 22. Henry VI, Edward IV and Richard III are tales of politics and power games, betrayals and bloody battles.

Chekhov's Three Sisters has been reworked (March 14-18), set in colonial Trinidad in 1941 with three privileged women, their unworldly brother and his domineering wife.

Bad Girls the Musical (May 27-July 1) has the original characters and a new governor in a musical version of the TV show.

East Is East, filmed in recent years, has a multi-racial family battling against tradition in 1970s Salford (February 14-18).