DARLINGTON Civic Theatre is offering the chance for one lucky child’s design to be used as the front cover for this year’s pantomime programme.

All you need to do is to create a design relating to Aladdin on an A4 piece of paper in either crayons, felt tips or paints. Send your design to: Programme Competition, Marketing Dept, Darlington Arts Centre, Vane Terrace, Darlington DL3 7AX, together with your name, age, address and your parent/guardian’s daytime phone number.

The competition is open to children up to 14 years of age. In addition to having their artwork used, the winner will receive a family ticket (four tickets) for the opening performance and the first programme off the press signed by the cast. There will be a runner-up prize of a family ticket for Wednesday, December 9, at 7pm. A selection of the entries will be displayed at the Cornmill Centre Box Office and at the Civic Theatre.

Aladdin, starring Darlington favourites, The Grumbleweeds and X Factor’s Chico, can be seen at Darlington Civic Theatre from Saturday, December 5 to Sunday, January 17. Tickets: £11.50-£19.

Box Office: 01325-486-555 or darlingtonarts.co.uk The closing date for entries is Friday, November 6.

FOLLOWING the success of 2008’s Aladdin, the Gala Theatre in Durham is once again producing its own Christmas pantomime, featuring a host of local actors and welcoming back some familiar faces. This year Gala is giving one lucky competition winner the opportunity to appear on stage in this year’s performance of Dick Whittington. The winner will be included in a specially created scene in one of the performances in December. They will be invited to attend the first rehearsal and meet the cast, have an outfit created by the costume designer, Tony Ayling, and receive a family ticket for four people. Gala director, Simon Stallworthy, says “Gala’s pantomime is written for and with our local community in mind. We utilise the highly skilled creative professionals available to us on our doorstep, and look forward to offering the winner the chance to work with them, get their chance in the spotlight, and have some Christmas fun in front of their friends and family.”

To enter, entrants must complete the following five line limerick: There once was a young lad named Dick Who sought fame and fortune quite quick The winning entry will be chosen by Simon, who has also written this year’s panto.

Competition entries should be sent to info@galadurham.co.uk or on a postcard marked: Dick Whittington competition to Gala Theatre, Millennium Place, Durham, DH1 1WA. Entrants must include a daytime contact telephone number and their age.

The closing date for entries is Friday, October 30.

■ Dick Whittington opens at the Gala on Tuesday, December 1, with performances until Sunday, January 3. Tickets prices start at £5 for some shows, family tickets start from £40 for 4 tickets (minimum one child) and there are a variety of concessionary and group rates. Contact Gala Theatre Box Office on 0191-332- 4041 or visit galadurham.co.uk