THE long and colourful traditions of pantomime fun will be played out on the stage of the Coronation Hall from next Wednesday.

To mark the staging of Sleeping Beauty by the Ulverston Pantomime Society we are taking a look as some of the shows of the past from The Mail archive.

This year's show can be seen from Wednesday to Friday, January 29 to 31, at 7pm and on Saturday, February 1, at 12pm and 4.30pm.

Back in 1998 it was time for the show organisers to celebrate a golden jubilee.

The Mail, on January  8, noted: "Ulverston's annual pantomime enters its 50 th year this month when members of the Royal British Legion Pantomime Society presents Aladdin at the Coronation Hall.

"The show was chosen to commemorate the fact that it was the first panto the society presented in 1948 - and the society has assembled an excellent cast for the celebration.

"Lindsey Jackson plays Aladdin partnered by Rebecca Burch as Princess Jasmine, two of the most delightful leading ladies of the Ulverston stage.

"The experienced Ken Hindle plays Widow Twankey and Richard Rowlatt, who revels in panto baddie roles, is wicked Abernazer."

Special guest in 1998 was professional entertainer, juggler and conjuror Gary Gifford as the Genie of the Lamp.

The January 1999 show was Jack and the Beanstalk, directed by Elaine Parkinson.

The Mail noted: "The show will have all the traditional pantomime ingredients with lots of shouting from the audience, song and dance numbers, daft jokes and the ever popular cow, courtesy of Sue Butler and Laura McCormick."

Looking back 20 years, the show for 2000 was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The Mail, on January 25, noted: "Rebecca Burch plays Snow White with Lindsey Jackson as Prince Valentine, Carol Leech as the wicked Queen Lucretia and Ken Hindle as Dame Dumpling.

"Seven Ulverston children have been cast as the Dwarfs. They are Libby Wade, Daniel Mercer, Ruben Tighe, Kirby Linton, Jack Little, Bethany Barker and Rosie Barker."

The January 2003 show was Babes in the Wood and featured two new performers - Sir John Barrow School pupils Isobel McDougall and Kurtis Henry as the babes Janet and John.

They had been left in the care of the evil Sheriff, played by Russ Palmer, who was keen to get his hands on their money.

He was assisted in his devious schemes by Martin Craig - as Herman the Henchman.