NEXT month the panto Sleeping Beauty will take to the stage at the Coronation Hall and to mark the event we are taking a look back to the version of this traditional story which was presented in 2001.

The 2020 panto by the Ulverston Pantomime Society can be seen from January 29 to Saturday February 1.

Back in 2001, what was then the Ulverston British Legion Pantomime Society, had Rebecca Burch as Princess Beauty - who had to sleep for 100 years before finding true happiness.

The Mail, on Monday, January 22, noted: "Happiness, in true panto style, is principal boy-shaped with Lindsey Jackson playing Prince Florizel and Sue Little as his pal Rupert Dilletante.

"Florizel's mother is Queen Maria, the dame of the piece, played by Ken Hindle.

"There are two comedy duos, Becky Bleakley and Helen Ramsey as Mop and Brushup and Bob Needham and Alan Hughes as Bubble and Squeak.

"Also in the cast are Terry Leech and Carol Leech as the king and queen, Tracey Bird as the nurse, Richard Rowlatt as the wicked wizard, Denise King and Debbie Beere as the fairies.

"There will be a guest appearance by Ulverston's own Puddings and Pies dance troupe."

Director Elaine Parkindon, in an article on January 11,  noted: "It's much more of a fairy story than anything else we've done.

"There is all the traditional panto 'he's behind you' stuff and plenty for the kids to shout and scream at, but it definitely has more of a story."

As well as directing, Elaine takes the stage role of Mother Blackheart.

In 2000, the group had presented Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Coronation Hall with Rebecca Burch in the title role.

The wicked Queen Lucretia, played by Carol Leech, was countered on stage by Good Fairy Dew Drop, played by Tracey Bird.

It wasn't entirely traditional, as somewhere into the story came Olga, the Russian spy, played by Sue Little.

The small folk who welcomed Snow White into their home were played by youngsters aged seven to 10.

They were Libby Wade, Daniel Mercer, Ruben Tighe, Kirby Linton, Jack Little, Bethany Barker and Rosie Barker.