Nothing like a Dame

You all know the story. Once upon a time there was a boy called Dick Whittington, born into a wealthy family in 1350... moved to London... married Alice Fitzwaryn... courted royal favour with large loans to Henry IV and V, ending up as Lord Mayor of London three times. Well, so much for the truth, what about the one with the cat, the bells of London and the gold pavements? If it's the truth you're after, then steer clear of the Bristol Old Vic this Christmas, as the evil King Rat, Billy the Bos'n and the good Fairy Bowbells ("turn again, Whittington, Lord Mayor of London") lead Dick along the path to fortune and success. This year, Lisa Bowerman carries the stick and bundle, Gaynor Barrett plays Dick's daughter, Alice, and Nikki Werner squeezes into the catsuit to weave her feral magic. But hogging the limelight, as usual, is Chris Harris (left) as Panto Dame Sarah the Cook, adding a generous helping of sauce and spice to the panto proceedings.

8 Dec-27 Jan, Bristol Old Vic, King St, Bristol BS1 (0117 987 7877)