CHRISTMAS just wouldn't be the same without the Attic panto at the Arts Centre.  It's the only way to guarantee complete loss of hearing over the festive season.

At the opening performance of this year's boisterous production of Dick Whittington the audience were on terrifying form, screaming and singing and pre-empting the cast with the sort of advice that would put your average thespian off the stage for life.

In Frank Campbell's uproarious production Fiona Cowan's Whittington becomes a courageous dragon slayer, tackling one of the most fantastic monsters ever seen on the Arts Centre Stage.

Thanks to Ashley Walker's brilliant Dame and Thomas Forbes' hilarious Dozy Dave we were all sent home smiling and well and truly pantoed.

Catriona Philips
Thursday 5 December 1996