For the first time ever Burley's Millennium Theatre Group has been able to gather together a six-piece band for their forthcoming pantomime. In the past they have relied on keyboard and percussion only.

The Musical Director is Chris Armitage who also directed the music for 'Sweeney Todd' at Ilkley Playhouse in 2003.

The Burley group is to present 'Jack and the Beanstalk' featuring the Smaller than Average Giant.

The pantomime has been written by Walter Swan and Yvette Huddleston and is also directed by the pair.

This brand new version of the ever-popular pantomime approaches the story from an entirely new angle, incorporating environmental issues and injecting fresh sources of humour. Nevertheless, all the traditional aspects of pantomime feature prominently.

One of the new characters introduced is Trapdoor (played by the highly talented Emily Chidwick, a pupil at Ilkley Grammar School) who bursts into song at every opportunity.

Another first is that the dame (Dame Bella) will this year be played by Adrian Millard when every year since the BMTG's inception (in 1998) the dame has been played by Digby Singleton. Digby, who has just returned from a month away in Australia and New Zealand,) takes on the role of King Conker in an impressive caricature of Prince Charles.

The panto features four newcomers to the group in 12 year-old Kiera Benson, also an Ilkley Grammar School pupil, as the feisty Princess Ida; Daniel Skelton and Finlay Swan, respectively the front and rear ends of Maisie the Cow; and Sasha Hill, in the eponymous role of Jack.

Well-known Ilkley and Menston performer Tony Wade takes on his biggest role ever, in stature, not in the number of lines, as Giant Nostrille. His appearance on stage should provide one of the show's greatest surprises.

Also appearing will be Kathy Jasckman as Bertha, the bad fairy; Nicky Warren as Mary, the good fairy; Jo Robinson as Silly Willie, a milksop; John Wise as Quilt, a royal retainer; and Philomena Atkinson as Millie, the giant's housemaid.

Yvette Huddleston is a well-known film journalist whose movie reviews feature each day in The 'Daily Mail'. She recently gained her MA in Film Studies and Creative Writing at York University.

Walter Swan, now a freelance writer, was formerly a teacher of English and Drama. He has worked in Light Entertainment for the BBC, LWT ('Blind Date') and Sky. He is currently Deputy Chairman of Ilkley Playhouse.

Yvette and Walter regularly perform at the Ilkley Playhouse. Walter was last seen in 'Macbeth', and Yvette in 'Perfect Days'.

The show will run at Burley's Queen's Hall on Thursday, Friday and Saturday February 2-4. All performance begin at 7.30 pm with a matinee performance on Saturday at 2pm.

Tickets: Thursday £3 children; £4 adults; all other times £4 children; £6 adults.Tickets are available from Alpha Secretarial Services, 120, Main Street (Top of Peel Place) Tel: 01943 861930 (office hours) or by ringing Roger Charnley on 01943 864774.