THERE'S nothing like a dame -- particularly if that dame has a gruff voice, a bristly chin and an indelicate air. Yes, it's panto season again when boys will be girls and girls will be boys, all in the interests of a good storyline.

Meanwhile, right across East Lancashire, children -- and their parents -- are preparing to suspend disbelief and get into the festive spirit.

One of the best-loved of seasonal shows, Cinderella, is at King George's Hall, Blackburn, over Christmas and New Year.

Stageworks Worldwide Productions has teamed up with the team at the hall to present a traditional spectacular for all the family from December 14 to January 12.

The pantomime, written and directed by Tom Bright and choreographed by Nikki Alexander, boasts a cast that's new to the Blackburn stage.

So will Cinders go to the Ball? You'll have to visit King George's Hall to find out . . .

Over in Blackpool, the Grand Theatre has announced a star line-up for Aladdin, with Ken Morley, Des Coleman, Anna Williamson, Shaun Curry and Steve Walls. The show runs from December 12 to January 5.

Ken Morley, formerly the famous Reg in Coronation Street, said he was very much looking forward to his role as Widow Twankey. "I love going to Blackpool and as I live in the Chorley area The Grand is a home from home," he added.

Taking to the stage with Ken is EastEnders' Lenny -- Des Coleman to his friends -- as Slave of The Ring. Starring alongside them will be Anna Williamson (The Disney Channel and Channel 5's The Core) as Aladdin, Geordie comic Steve Walls as Wishee Washee and Grand favourite bad-guy Shaun Curry (Just Good Friends) as Abanazar.

Grand Theatre general manager Peter Cutchie said of the line-up: "Once again we have an all-star cast and a festive show that promises fabulous costumes, lavish sets and fun for all the family."

The production is by Martin Dodd and Peter Frosdick (Anything Goes, Carousel and 42nd Street), who have produced pantos for many years.

Leading the cast as Cinderella at the Charter Theatre in Preston will be Raine Davison, who has recently appeared as Eve Birch in Emmerdale and is currently playing Abbie Butcher in Crossroads.

And back for the fourth year running will be Steve Royle (Camelot Theme Park's Mad Edgar) as Buttons.

A spokesman said: "The show will have all the ingredients of a traditional family pantomime, with music, singing, dancing and comedy, along with beautiful costumes and sets."

You can boo the Ugly Sisters (Curly Carter and Gina Millington), gasp in wonderment at the The Fairy Godmother (Venita Deane), laugh at the daft antics of the Broker's Men (Castle and King) and Baron Hardup (Derek Yelding) and say "Aah" as Cinderella finds true love in the arms of Dandini (Charlie Hewson).

Cinderella will run from December 12 to January 5.

Manchester Opera House has signed up Lily Savage to star in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as The Wicked Queen.

Lily -- recently back on our TV screens with the new series of Blankety Blank on ITV1 -- will be joined on stage by glamour boys The Magnificent Seven as, of course, the Seven Dwarfs.

The show will be staged from December 19 to January 12.

Meanwhile, the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, is presenting an alternative to pantomime -- The Firebird, a magical and fantastical festive adventure story.

It has been created especially for the venue by the same team which produced last year's highly-successful Christmas production The Snow Queen -- Bolton-based writer Neil Duffield, designer Dominie Hooper and director Sue Reddish. Sue said: "Neil has produced a sparkling, funny script and Dominie's set is typically ingenious and beautiful.

"And with a first-rate cast The Firebird promises to be a real family treat. Like all the best stories, it tells us something about our own lives and experiences while entertaining us with us with magical creatures and amazing treasures."

The cast of six includes Coronation Street actor and local lad Anthony Bessick.

Elsewhere, Darren Day has emerged from the TV jungle to star in Aladdin at the Victoria Theatre, Halifax (December 17 to January 5).

The ubiquitous Aladdin will also appear at the Quays Theatre, The Lowry, Manchester (December 11 toJanuary 5).

Other pantos in the region include:

Dream Panto 2002: Cinderella -- Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre (December 22); Cinderella -- Municipal Hall, Colne. Saturday, January 4, to Sunday, January 19; Dick Whittington -- Burnley Mechanics (January 10 to January 18); Sleeping Beauty -- Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre (January 16 to Saturday, January 18).