Woman Is Appearing In 34th Panto In 35 Years

There can be no doubt that Norma Somerville is dame for a laugh when it comes to taking part in the annual panto.

This true trooper has only missed one show since joining her local am-dram group...and that was in 1967,the year after we won the World Cup.

She had to bow out because she was pregnant.

Since then,she has appeared every year,in a variety of costumes and roles.

She's preparing to rehearse for this year's panto,in which she will play Sarah the Cook in Dick Whittington - her 34th show.

And she says it will take something serious to stop her treading the boards for years to come.

There's nothing that Norma likes better than slapping on make-up,donning outrageous costumes and strutting her stuff on the stage every New Year.

The mum-of-four,from Sussex,was in Cinderella last New Year,playing the Wicked Step Mother.

Norma,who says a dame would never reveal her true age,but is in her sixties,said "I just love it.

"There's a great buzz from the audience when you appear on stage and it is all a great laugh.

"There is nothing like the look on the faces of the children when a dame or animal goes on to the stage.

"When you get to see something like that every year,you realise just why it is that you keep going back."

She says that even with the Millennium approaching,as long as there is a role for her,she will keep going back for the sell-out shows.

Her three sons,Kenny,43,Graham,41,and Bruce,39,have never shown a real interest in the stage,but her daughter Jacqui is a freelance director in London.

She is also hoping some of her six grandchildren will be prepared to follow in her footsteps.

She said "There's been no history of acting or anything like that in my family.

"I got involved because when I moved to Sussex,I didn't want to sit around talking about nappies or pregnancy cravings.

"I heard about the club and thought it would be a great way to meet people and I've never looked back since."

Her favourite role was the dame in Robinson Crusoe,but she also loves Jack And The Beanstalk,Mother Goose and the classic Cinderella.

"They're all great fun.I've spoken to people who remember seeing me in a panto when they were a child and now they're bringing their own children along to the shows.

"It is amazing to think that people enjoy it so much that they keep coming back,but I suppose they are just the same as me."