Taking a look back at Norwich Theatre Royal pantos of the past

%image(14808409, type="article-full", alt="Charlie Daze, as the dame, in the Norwich Theatre Royal's 1985 pantomine, "Babes in the Wood". Photo: Archant Library")

Panto season is here - oh yes it is. This year's Norwich Theatre Royal show is Jack and the Beanstalk and hundreds of people have so far enjoyed a bellyful of laughs from the star-studded cast. To celebrate its launch we've looked back on some of the previous pantomimes at the theatre.

Photos include the likes of Paul Henry and the Pattern brothers with the cast of Dick Wittington in 1983, Aladdin in 1987 and Goldilocks the panto in 1984.

Keep an eye out every Tuesday in the Evening News for the Norwich Through the Decades 12-page supplement which takes a look back at a variety of old photos.

Make sure you join our new Facebook group, Norwich Remembers, for a nostalgic look at Norwich over the decades. You can share your own photos and memories or simply browse through those shared by others.

%image(14808410, type="article-full", alt="A helping hand for the Fairy Queen, Allyson Rees of Blofield as she prepares to go on stage for the performance of "Babes in the Woods", 20th December 1978. Photo: Archant Library")

%image(14808411, type="article-full", alt="The Great Wallies in full flight. Photo: Archant Library")

%image(14808412, type="article-full", alt="The Welsh wizard of the wisecracks gets some comfort from panto showgirls Kay Michelle (left) and Virinia Harrison (right). Photo: Archant Library")

%image(14808413, type="article-full", alt="The cast of Dick Whittington and his cat at the Theatre Royal Norwich. Photo: Archant Library")

%image(14808414, type="article-full", alt="Nicolas Parsons and Dora Bryan at Norwich Theatre Royal panto on the 15th December 1993. Photo: Archant Library")

%image(14808415, type="article-full", alt="Theatre Royal Norwich programme for Friday 12th January 1877. Taken on the 5th February 1964. Photo: Archant Library")

%image(14808416, type="article-full", alt="The glittering scene as Cinderella (Jayne Sullivan) sets off for the ball in her crystal coach, 20th December 1979. Photo: Archant Library")

%image(14808417, type="article-full", alt="The Goldilocks pantomine at the Theatre Royal, Norwich on the 20th December 1984. Photo: Archant Library")

%image(14808418, type="article-full", alt="Wayne Sleep, Ian Lees, Rusty Goffe, Effie Star and Ann Aston in a Norwich Theatre Royal panto. Photo: Archant Library")

%image(14808419, type="article-full", alt="Cinderella at the Theatre Royal on 17th December 1986. Photo: Archant Library")

%image(14808420, type="article-full", alt="Aladdin (Dilys Watling, centre) marvels as the treasures of the cave are displayed in the lavishly mounted pantomine at Norwich Theatre Royal, 22nd December 1987. Photo: Archant Library")

%image(14808421, type="article-full", alt="Robinsoe Crusoe is captured by Blackbeard in Theatre Royal panto. Photo: Archant Library")

%image(14808422, type="article-full", alt="Jack and the Magic Beanstalk, Michael Sharrell Martin as the Dame and Geoffrey Hayes as Simple Simon dated 20th December 1989. Photo: Archant Library")