MAGIC lamps, fairy godmothers, giant's treasure and magical bears are just some of the get-rich-quick traditions that theatres are employing to bring in the silver this Christmas.

Tim Healy, Lisa Riley, Darren Day and Berwick Kaler - starring for an incredible 25th year at York - are just a few of the TV stars pulling on a pantomime costume in the North-East for the 2003-2004 season.

Tickets sales are hitting new records for most of the 13 main professional productions across the region, proving that a custard pie in the face - however politically correct - is still hitting the entertainment bull's-eye.

A few venues have already opened their doors, but the bulk of theatre's tinsel-trimmed temptations are about to launch long runs of comic capers which last long after the final New Year's Eve popper hits the black plastic sack.

Here are details on the front-runners about to make a dent in family festive finances (in order of opening).

The Happy Prince, Gulbenkian Studio, Newcastle

NORTHERN Stage Ensemble's Christmas show for the under-sixes based on Oscar Wilde's short story.

Two angels (Tony Neilson and Sophie Trott) land on Earth in "a special place" which is highly watchable thanks to Imogen Cloet's designs.

It's about the right length to retain the concentration of the young audience, who are asked to help out and sing along without undue pressure being exerted to make them participate - so adults be warned

* Runs until Saturday, January 10. Box Office: 0191-230 5151

Aladdin, Harrogate Theatre

WIDOW Twankey sees Alan McMahon back in frocks as the Dame, with Tim Stedman returning too as his silly son, Wishee-Washee. The thoroughly traditional show promises magic, mystery and mayhem, complete with cute, cuddly Panda and a Mini-Mummy.

l Runs until Saturday, January 10. Box Office: (01423) 502116

Sleeping Beauty, Customs House, South Shields

VENUE director Ray Spencer writes, directs and performs in what has become a legendary sell-out show. Sidekick of 30 years, Bob Stott, plays Nurse Dame Dotty. North-East broadcaster Kathy Secker will be taking a bow as the evil Narcissus, while pantomime favourite Donald McBride makes an appearance as the evil King Street. David Whitaker - recently seen on stage at the venue in The Pigeon Man with Tim Healy - plays his conniving partner in crime.

l Opened last night and runs until Sunday, January 4. Box Office: 0191-454 1234

Snow White, Middlesbrough Theatre

'ALLO 'Allo star Kim Hartman switches the uniform of Helga for the darkness of Wicked Queen Morgana. Award-winning BBC Radio Cleveland presenter Matthew Davies dons a frock as Nurse Glucose while Melissa D'Arcy is Snow White.

l Opens tonight and runs until Sunday, January 4. Box Office: (01642) 815181

Aladdin, Newcastle Opera House

BRENDAN Healy leads the laughter as Wishee-Washee while Kevin O'Keefe takes on Widow Twanky and Stephanie Constable tries to keep a straight face as Aladdin. The ever-popular Maxie and Mitch are Chinese policeman Ping and Pong with Paul O'Shea as Abanazer and Century Radio's Vicky Hawkins as the Genie.

l Opens today and runs until Saturday, January 3. Box Office: 0191-232 0899

Cinderella, Gala, Durham

COMIC Pee Wee Price is the star attraction as Buttons with show director Andrew Rumble picking out talented North-East performers Kirsti McDonagh, Luke Gasper as Cinderella and Prince Charming plus Paul Hartley as Dandini.

l Opens on Saturday, December 6, until Sunday, January 4. Box Office: 0191-332 4041

Goldilocks And The Three Bears, Darlington Civic Theatre

FORMER Emmerdale and You've Been Framed star Lisa Riley is fresh from filming ITV1's Fat Friends as she tops the bill as the Ring Mistress. She's aiming to maintain a winning team with comedy duo Webb and Adams plus former Civic press officer Steve Luck finally getting his wish to perform in panto... as Dame Gertie.

l Opens today abd runs until Sunday, January 18

Aladdin, Billingham Forum

THE Chinese clown Wishee Washee is TV star Duncan Norvelle. Sadly BBC1's Airport hero Jeremy Spake is ill and Johnny Leeze dons the Emperor's outfit. Heartbeat's Jonathan Owen is Widow Twankey.

l Opens on Wednesday, December 10, and runs until Sunday, January 11. Box Office: (01642) 552663

Jack And The Beanstalk, York Grand Opera House

FORMER Emmerdale stars and real life couple, Stuart Wade and Tonicha Jeronimo, return to where they starred in panto three years ago. As Simple Simon and Fairy Peapod they'll be fighting against Lynne (Home And Away's Irene) McGranger's wicked Witch.

l Runs from next Thursday, December 11, to Sunday, January 4. Box Office: 0870 606 3595

Cinderella, Sunderland Empire

SINGING star Darren Day achieves a long ambition by switching to the uniform of Buttons. Children's BBC presenter Kate Heavenor is Cinders, Last Of The Summer Wine's Jean Fergusson is the Fairy Godmother and comic Syd Little tries to keep Ugly Sisters Simon Bashford and Mark Two under control.

l Runs from Friday, December 12, until Sunday, January 11. Box Office: 0191-514 2517

Peter Pan, Newcastle Theatre Royal

NORTH-East favourite Tim Healy bids for boos as Captain Hook with Stacey Cadman from BBC's Cave Girl as Peter. Big Brother's surprise package Jonny Regan returns to star on the Tyneside stage as Starkey the Pirate, after displaying bags of confidence as an entertainer in last year's Aladdin.

l Opens Saturday, December 13, and runs until Sunday, January 18. Box Office: 0870 905 5060

Published: ??/??/2003