THE stars of Darlington's pantomime arrived in town this week to polish up their acts for another seasonal spectacular.

The cast of Aladdin started rehearsals at the arts centre on Monday.

Old favourites the Chuckle Brothers, making their fifth appearance in panto at the Civic theatre, star as Wishee and Washee, while their real-life brothers, Jimmy and Brian Patten, also feature as Widow Twankey and the Policeman, respectively.

Although the two double acts have worked regularly together on television and on tour, this is the first time they have all appeared in the same panto.

"It's great to be working with our brothers, we are really looking forward to it," said Barry Chuckle, alias Barry Elliott.

"We've always wanted to do panto together but it's a bit difficult being two double acts."

The Chuckle Brothers' television show, Chucklevision, is now in its 14th consecutive year and is the longest-running TV comedy series in the world.

A feature-length Chuckle film is in the offing and the brothers say they would love to star in a comedy play in the theatre.

So what keeps drawing them back to Darlington?

"They keep asking us back and we are delighted to come back," said Paul Chuckle. "It's a nice place and we enjoy the town and the people. We always have a good time here."

Brother Barry agreed: "The theatre audiences up here are the best in the country. They are completely different to those in the working men's clubs. They like to come out for a good night and enjoy themselves."

The Chuckles' elder siblings, the Patton Brothers, are veterans of pantomime. They started as a comedy double act in 1954 and this is their 46th consecutive year in panto.

Brian Patton said: "We've never missed a show in all that time and have done just about every part there is."

The brothers are no strangers to the North-East. Their father, popular comedian Gene Patton, was born in Hetton-le-Hole and they have worked in most of the old theatres in the region.

They refer affectionately to Barry and Paul as "the lads".

"We worked at the Civic with Sacha Distel when the lads were also on the bill, and I can remember in 1964 we were on at the La Bamba club in Darlington and the Contessa club in Middlesbrough at the same time," said Jimmy.

"Our wives were both pregnant at the time and we used to come off at the Contessa, put the family to bed and then come through to the La Bamba for the late show."

Despite both having been in showbusiness since the late 40s, the duo have no intention of bowing out just yet.

"We'll just keep going until we drop, like Tommy Cooper," said Brian, "They'll have to carry us off stage in a box."

The younger and, it has to be said, prettier element of the cast includes Katie Costello as the Slave of the Ring, Melodie Scales as the Empress, Andrea Dickinson as the Princess and Tania Whatley in the title role.

Nathan Costello adds a little magic to proceedings as the Genie of the Lamp, while Aladdin's main adversary, the evil Jafar, is played by Alan Meadows.

The popularity of the Chuckle Brothers with young and old alike means this year's pantomime is already heading for a sell-out.

Bookings are going very well, with just over 70pc of seats already sold.

Aladdin runs at Darlington Civic theatre from Wednesday until Sunday, January 20; ring 01325 486555 for tickets which start at £7.50.

Audiences at Middlesbrough theatre will see a lavish production of Dick Whittington by Extravaganza Productions, which has enjoyed successful shows at this venue for the past three years.

The company is led by Barbara Hatwell, better known as Anthea Dixon from the Liverpool soap on TV Brookside, who stars as Fairy of the Bells.

Two faces from previous pantomimes in Middlesbrough, Mike Burns, who was Widow Twanky in last year's Aladdin, and Matthew Davies, from BBC Radio Cleveland, a very popular Wishee Washee last year, return in the roles of Sarah Suet and Idle Jack, respectively.

Peter Armitage, who plays Bill Webster in Coronation Street, is King Rat. As usual, the local Thornton dancers and juveniles will provide the dancing.

The show opens on Thursday and runs until January 6; ticket prices start at £8, with family and party discounts available, ring 01642 815181.

Many performances for Billingham Forum's production of Cinderella, which opens next Friday, are already sold out for this most popular of pantos.

Ticket sales for the show, with a cast headed by Timmy Mallett, are up by 40pc on the same time last year.

Timmy Mallett, already well-known to Billingham audiences, plays Buttons, with Jo-Anne Knowles, who is Lorraine in TV's Hollyoaks, cast as Prince Charming. She has enjoyed four pantomime seasons, and this is her first at Billingham. Julie McCourt, from Tyne Tees TV, is the Fairy Godmother, and Vicky Hawkins, from Byker Grove is Dandini.

Cinderella runs until January 6; all seats are priced under £10, ring the box office on 01642 552663.

In York, the legendary dame Berwick Kaler will play Fanny Shufflebottom in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Theatre Royal, his 16th pantomime role. The production is directed by Damian Cruden, with set and costumes by Nigel Hook in his sixth panto at York.

The cast again includes Suzy Cooper, this time playing Jill, a considerably jollier role than her recent part in Les Liaison Dangereuse at the Theatre Royal.

Jack and the Beanstalk opens on December 13 and runs until February 2. Ticket prices range from £6.35 to £17.50, with concessions available; ring the box office on 01904 623568.

The Georgian theatre royal in Richmond presents a two-day run of Goldilocks and the Three Amazing Bears on Boxing Day (2pm and 7pm) and on December 27 (1pm, 4pm and 7pm). Ticket prices range from £2-£8, with concessions for children, ring 01748 823021.

There is a pre-Christmas treat for children at the Georgian when the Castle Players from Barnard Castle present their own adaptation of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland on Friday, December 21 (7.30) in aid of St Teresa's hospice.

l Tomorrow, the Riding Lights theatre company from York begins its tour of a new Christmas show, Shepherds' Delight, at Sowerby for the Ark in Front Street.

The company, which has been touring Christmas shows since 1977, is renowned for its own blend of riotous humour, mystery and slapstick comedy, combined in this show with magical glimpses of the first Christmas story.

For tickets to the Ark presentation, ring 01845 522006. The company is also at Crakehall village hall on Friday, December 21, with its other Christmas show, Angel at Large, tickets on 01677 424330.

Mike Chipchase & Pru Farrier