BRITAIN'S longest-serving pantomime dame, Berwick Kaler, will be reunited with stalwart stooge Martin Barrass in Jack And The Beanstalk at York Theatre Royal this Christmas.

Barrass had to skip last winter's Cinderella after suffering life-threatening injuries in a motorcycle accident in September, but now fully recuperated, he will return to the pantomime boards alongside Kaler and his fellow regulars, the villainous David Leonard and the ever youthful Suzy Cooper, from December 14 to February 3.

Co-directed by Kaler and artistic director Damian Cruden, the production  will see the return of "I-think-you're-lovely" Brummie A J Powell and York-born, Pocklington-raised Harry Hughes too. Powell stepped into Barrass’s bouncy shoes last time to join Kaler in the Ugly Sister roles, in turn necessitating Hughes's upgrade to Buttons.

This will be the sixth time that Kaler has appeared in Jack And The Beanstalk – one of his "all-time favourite pantomimes" – during his 39-year reign as dame.

After all the familiar names signed up again for the 2017-2018 panto, The Grand Old Dame of York offered these words of wisdom: "I can verify that Leonard will be playing Dr McCarb and Barrass will be Stanley Manly, the son of his mother, Mandy Manly (me!)," he said.

York Press:

"Barrass will be Stanley Manly, the son of his mother, Mandy Manly (me!)," says Dame Berwick. Picture: Anthony Robling

"Suzy Cooper has had yet another facelift in order to play the 18-year-old principal girl Jill. Harry Hughes has been given a last chance to prove he can act by taking on the role of principal boy Jack Manly. As for AJ Powell, he isn’t concerned about who he's playing as long as he gets a chance to show his legs off!”

Co-director Cruden asked Dame Berwick if he would be taking things easier in this winter’s panto, having had a pacemaker – now called Gerry – fitted three weeks before Barrass’s near-fatal accident. "No. I’ve changed my lifestyle," Kaler said. "I no longer drink Newcastle Brown Ale but go for the healthier option, which is Yorkshire Terrier Ale."

Asked the same question as he looks forward to renewing a panto partnership that has run for more than 30 years, the ever effervescent Barrass said: "I think I’ve got the edge where fitness is concerned; I skip to the pubs whilst Kaler still crawls to them."

At the time of going to press, and true to tradition, there was no sign of a plot from Kaler, but audiences should expect "breathtaking sets and gorgeous costumes, amazing lighting design, singalong songs and foot-tapping choreography and loads of fun".

Definitely back in place alongside Cruden from last winter's Cinderella production team are designer Mark Walters, lighting designer Richard G Jones and choreographer Grace Harrington.

Diehard Theatre Royal panto fans queued overnight when Beanstalk tickets went on sale in March. Seats can be booked on 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk