PANTO fun is about to start at the Forum so we are turning the clock back to some of the shows which have entertained Barrow crowds through the decades.

This year’s traditional slice of festive fun is provided by Aladdin – which can be seen from Sunday, December 15 to Monday, December 30.

Aladdin, with his mother Widow Twankey and his brother Wishee Washee, battle against the evil Abanazar and his plan to be master of the world.

Back in 1999 Pumpkin Promotions tackled Babes in the Wood with David Marcus being writer, artistic director and the panto dame, called Nurse Newbarns.

He told The Mail, on December 16: “The entrance of the dame is always an event with lots of people shouting out.

“The show stars the cream of local acting talent, such as Barrow-born actor Malcolm Smith in the Will Scarlet role.”

Julie Lloyd played the traditional female lead role with Madison Jones and Johnathan Harkin as the babes.

The Cinderella production in 2000 featured TV star dancing guests the Roly Polys.

The Mail, on December 22, noted: “Karen Shaw was in delightful voice as Cinders, Malcolm Smith was ideal as a crowd-pleasing Buttons and Julie Lloyd was a dashing and glamorous prince.”

Dick Whittington was the choice for 2001 as Pumpkin Productions brought its seventh show to the Forum stage.

The Mail, on December 22, noted: “David Marcus dominates the show at his professional best in frock after outrageous frock, getting more laughs and cheers with every entrance.

“He carries the show easily with ad libs and jokes and cleverly invites the audience in on any minor slips with quips like ‘stick to the script’ and ‘I know, I wrote it’.”

Bay Radio presenters John Gillmore and Amanda Wilcox had great fun playing Silly Gilly and Alice Fitzwarren.

The article noted: “The young dancers are a treat, very well trained with cheeky smiles and good choreography from Deborah Brown and Graham Barker.”

Shirley Britton had a great time as the good fairy, sending herself up gloriously in the song Nobody Loves a Fairy When She’s Forty.