It's Hobson's Choice for Berwick Kaler as the North's best-known panto dame opts for comedy drama at York's Theatre Royal next season. Steve Pratt looks at the North Yorkshire theatre highlights as 2005 gathers pace.

YORK'S long-serving Dame, Berwick Kaler, will take off his frock and start making boots in one of the highlights of the Theatre Royal's spring season. The actor will star in a revival of Hobson's Choice (March 29-April 16), marking his first appearance in a straight role at the venue since Trumpets And Raspberries in 1985. Kaler is currently appearing on stage as the Queen Vic in his 26th York pantomime, the record-breaking Sleeping Beauty.

He'll play Henry Hobson, the cantankerous and obstinate boot shop owner trying to get the better of his three daughters in Harold Brighouse's comedy.

Gregory Floy returns to the Theatre Royal to direct Hobson's Choice after appearing there in Alan Bennett's Single Spies in 2002.

The opening show in the main house also sees several returns. Artistic director Damian Cruden directs Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth (February 28-March 19). Taking the title in the Scottish play is Terence Maynard, last seen in York playing another of Shakespeare's great roles, Othello. He's recently been filming Guy Richie's new film Revolver, which is set for cinema release later this year.

His Lady Macbeth is Barbara Marten, who returns after her solo performance in the Studio production of Caitlin. The Teesside-born actress counts Harry, Casualty and The Bill among her TV appearances.

Back too is Birmingham Royal Ballet (April 22-23). Under the artistic direction of David Bintley, the company will perform four pieces chosen to demonstrate its versatility.

York Light Opera Company stage Cole Porter's musical Anything Goes (February 8-19) in the main house.

The smaller Studio builds on the success of the autumn season, when productions including football drama Gaffer! attracted national attention.

The season kicks off with Trimming Pablo and Fanny Cradock - The Life And Loves Of A Kitchen Devil. Both feature actor and director Fine Time Fontayne, who starred in the Theatre Royal's sellout production of Brassed Off last season.

Trimming Pablo (February 22,24,25) tells what happened when Pablo Picasso attended at the Second World Peace Congress in Yorkshire. The Fanny Cradock play features his real-life partner Sandra Hunt in a one-woman show about the first celebrity chef and creator of the prawn cocktail.

Another old York friend, Nick Lane, returns with Snow White (March 7-April 2) - the story of a jealous stepmother, a magic mirror, a beautiful girl and eight dwarfs. That's not a mistake, there are eight dwarfs in his adaptation of the fairy tale. This show is in the style of his previous hits The Hunchback Of Notre Dame and Beauty And The Beast, both seen in the Studio.

Touring productions in the smaller space include Playing For Time (April 4-6), about the friendship between J S Bach and Prince Leopold of Germany, and Mind The Gap theatre company in On The Verge (April 21-23), the story of a man, a Harley and a trip along Route 66.

York Youth Theatre presents Mike Kenny's play Dictation (February 17-19) and students from The University of York showcase their talent in Caryl Churchill's Far Away (February 9-12).

Tickets 01904 623568.

Published: 06/01/2005