WITH just three weeks to go until Christmas, pantomime fever is sweeping Crewe as the Lyceum's festive show has audiences bawling 'behind you!' once more.

Starring Brookside's Alex Fletcher as Jack and the glamorous Adele Silva as Princess Miranda, the panto takes its first giant step onto the stage tomorrow night.

Jack and the Beanstalk promises all the traditional panto tricks, with plenty of wigs, cringe-worthy jokes, men in tights and the age-old battle between good and evil.

The show is produced by Charles Vance, who has worked as a prolific actor and manager for 40 years and began his first national tour at the Lyceum, then known as the Alexandra Theatre.

Over the years he has produced, written and directed more than 175 pantomimes.

The cast arrived for rehearsals last week and will be getting hissed or cheered in Crewe until January 3.

Spilling the magical beans will be Alex Fletcher, better known as Brookside veteran Jacqui Dixon.

Emmerdale's Kelly Glover in the alluring form of 22-year-old Adele Silva will hopefully be living happily every after by the end of the show as Princess Miranda.

Alex was recently married and said she enjoys most working out at the gym, horse-riding and dancing - she is former junior British Disco Champion.

Adele, who trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School from the age of eight to 15, lists her hobbies as shopping, reading and more shopping!

In addition to the two leading ladies, the cast includes Brookside's Leon Lopez as Simple Simon, Patric Kearns as Dame Durden and star of the movie Gladiator, Jeff 'Big Guy' Rudom as the Giant.

Some of the Lyceum's favourites will also return to the theatre, including Ruth Carr as The Power of Good, who will also choreograph the show, and Hugo Myatt who will not only direct the show, but will appear as Fleshcreep.

Tickets are available from the box office on 537333.