DOING pantomime is like running in the Grand National twice daily," says Victor Spinetti, currently oozing villainy as King Rat in Dick Whittington at The Mayflower.

The veteran actor, famous for his appearances in the Beatles films, is probably more of an old war-horse than a shiny young thoroughbred - but he's still a safer bet than most.

And unlike some actors, jaded at 25, 68-year-old Spinetti is unashamedly enthusiastic about his work and finds panto just as exciting as Shakespeare or Dylan Thomas.

"It's rather good when you say silence to the kids and five laser beams shoot out of your hand!" he laughs.

Working with Jim Davidson, director and star of this lavish, high-tech version of Dick Whittington, has been something of an eye-opener for Spinetti.

Davidson is one of the best directors he has ever worked with - second only, in fact, to Joan Littlewood, whose legendary Theatre Workshop changed the face of drama in the 1960s, with such groundbreaking productions as A Taste of Honey and Fings Ain't What They Used To Be.

"Joan did a production that brought out things in the people she cast," says Spinetti, who spent six years with the Theatre Worskhop.

"Jim's the same. He's very creative, and he doesn't hang about. I brought Joan Littlewood to see the show in Bristol. She loved it."

Spinetti seems to be having a great time in panto. It's certainly sounds more of a laugh than the Royal Shakespeare Company.

"I was with the RSC for two years and I didn't come away with one funny story," confesses Spinetti. It's a startling admission for an actor whose name is now a byword for theatrical anecdotes.

"The RSC was very strange. We used to rehearse in shifts rather than all together. The directors didn't like us sitting around the rehearsal room doing crosswords. And we could never keep the same dressing room. We were given trays to carry our personal bits and pieces on. The corridors were always full of actors milling around with these trays.

"It seemed very odd to me. I grew up in south Wales, where every coal-miner had his own little corner with his newspaper, mug of tea and fags.

"They couldn't believe it when I left to do panto. They said 'you don't do pantomime'. I said 'I'm going to earn some money!'"

Spinetti is famous for his stories of showbiz life and encounters with the rich and famous.

He's worked with them all, from Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor to John, Paul, George and Ringo.

"The reason I was in all the Beatles films was because George Harrison's mum said she wouldn't come to see them if I wasn't," explains Spinetti.

"I still see Paul, but I haven't seen Ringo for a long time. George was a friend, but I hadn't seen him for a while. The last time I spoke to him, I was arranging to go down to his house to look at his garden, but it was pouring with rain, so I cancelled."

Despite being such a mine of showbiz stories, Spinetti's "friend to the stars" status carries its own burdens.

With a little sigh, he reveals: "I had to find time to write 300 Christmas cards this year."

For tickets and information, call the Mayflower box office on 023 8071 1811.