AUDIENCES watching a pantomime produced by a North-East drama group can be excused for thinking they are seeing double - they are.

In Cinderella, being staged this week by the Glenholme Theatre Club at Crook, County Durham, there are two fairy godmothers, played by identical twins Craig and Christopher Gibbon.

The 16-year-olds will be on stage at the same time.

"It will certainly be very difficult for the audience to tell us apart," said Craig.

"Even friends have difficulty in finding which one of us they are talking to, but we are hoping our double act will bring plenty of laughs."

The twins emerge as fairy godmothers early in the pantomime when it is discovered one of them is losing "her" magical powers - so a wizard is called in to create another.

"It all happens in a puff of smoke," said director Bernard Lally, who also plays stepmother to the ugly sisters in the production.

The twins, who both work at a local factory, have been members of the drama group for the past three years.

"We are inseparable," said Craig. But this is the first time they have appeared on stage together in a panto.

l Cinderella is being staged at Crook's Elite Hall tomorrow night and on Thursday and Friday at 7pm. There are matinees next Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm.

Tickets at £3 for adults and £2.50 for concessions and children are available from local shops and Crook library, or at the door.

Published: 01/12/2003