FINDING an actor to play the dame in its Christmas panto has proved a close shave for members of one theatre.

Electronics student Tim Fairhurst was pencilled in for the role but was then suddenly called on instead to direct the panto - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - which is the Christmas production by the Glenholme Theatre Club, at Crook, County Durham.

So up stepped former printer Gordon Binks to take over as Dame Sally Lunn. The trouble is that he sports a very full beard.

But, in the best theatrical tradition, Gordon, who has kept his whiskers intact for the past ten years, volunteered to shave them off.

He waited until dress rehearsals at the weekend to inform the cast they would not be appearing alongside a bearded dame when the panto is staged next week at Crook's Elite Hall.

The trouble began when the original director dropped out, leaving 21-year-old Tim to make his directorial debut.

He said: "I was nervous enough about this, but I became positively terrified at the prospect of directing a dame sporting a beard in my first panto.

"We have had quite a few laughs about it at rehearsals, but like a true trouper, Gordon has agreed to have it shaved off."

Gordon said: "I am going to be quite upset about losing the beard after so many years. But it is all in a very good cause.

"At the end of the day, there was no question of the beard having to come off. The show must go on."

* Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be staged at the Elite Hall, Crook, on December 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 at 7pm, with matinees on December 7 and 8, at 2pm.

Tickets, £3 and £2.50 concessions for children and pensioners, are available from shops in Crook or by calling (01388) 762436.