THE show must go on, goes the old showbiz saying.

If an actor stumbles on stage or misses a line they have to grin and bear it and carry on regardless.

But in the world of panto, when everyone is feeling merry and festive, those calamities can become the funniest moments in the show.

Tony Peers Productions has teamed up with the Parr Hall to present Snow White and the Seven Dwarves in Warrington from January 3 to 11.

And the team spoke to Weekend about those occasional moments when everything is not 'alright on the night'.

Dale Ibbetson, who plays Muddles, said: "One of our panto dame’s false boobs burst in the middle of a scene in Jack and the Beanstalk."

'Wicked queen' Linda Newport added: "Last year I fell up the stairs and face planted the stage. That was quite funny."

Naomi Fox, who plays Prince John, said: "But often the accidents and things that aren’t supposed to happen are the funniest moments and usually the cast are only the people who really know. It’s about having to work around those little things and line slips."

Linda, who has worked alongside Morecambe and Wise, Tom Jones and Cannon and Ball, added: "Sometimes we end up keeping it in and that’s how accidents turn into part of the panto."

The well loved panto tells the story of Snow White (Louise Willoughby) who runs away to the forest to escape the clutches of the wicked queen.

Deep in the forest she meets seven new friends who, with the help of Prince John, Muddles and Dame Clara (Ian Moore), join together to combat the queen's evil forces.

Lind said: "I think the key to a successful panto is to keep it traditional and to make sure families are having fun. Without all the special effects that you get with a lot of the big shows it is down to talent.

"We hope to stand out by having a really strong cast."

The cast may be keeping it traditional but that does not stop them throwing in the odd reference to the likes of I'm A Celebrity.

And after the first draft of the script is prepared, jokes aimed at adults are added in during improvised rehearsals.

You may have recently seen Snow White and the wicked queen at Warrington's Christmas light switch-on but the strangest place the team have been in costume was at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, home to Warrington Wolves.

It was while they were promoting Dick Whittington in 2009.

Linda added: "Our dame was dressed in the Wolves’ colours and on top of his hat was a model of the Wolves’ stadium. He had flags on his arms and everything."

The Tony Peers Productions team are hoping Snow White will keep Warrington's festive spirit going well into the New Year.

Naomi said: "At this time of year everybody’s mood is lifted and for a lot of families it is a tradition for them to see a show like this around Christmas and it’s just nice to be a part of that."

Clair Beck, who plays the Fairy, added: "For me it is when you see the kids and adults joining in and there is an atmosphere. It gives you that buzz and you want to get back on stage."

- Snow White and The Seven Dwarves is at Parr Hall from January 3 to 11.

For tickets visit pyramidparrhall.com or call 442345

DAVID MORGAN