CHRISTMAS is coming and the goose is getting fat.

Okay, maybe not just yet. But, if ticket sales are anything to go by, this year's pantomime at The Mayflower should be one to remember.

With more than five months to go before this year's panto - Dick Whittington, starring Jim Davidson, pictured - takes up residence on the Mayflower stage, ticket sales are already exceeding £250,000.

Paul Lewis, head of marketing at The Mayflower, said: "This figures represents more than 16,000 tickets sold so far, which is very good with the opening night so far away."

As well as songs, jokes, audience participation and all the magic of a traditional panto, Dick Whittington promises to be one of the most high-tech shows ever to grace the Mayflower stage, with breathtaking wizardry and special effects.

Davidson is producing and starring in the show as Dick. Among the top-name support is Davidson's TV sidekick John Virgo, playing Captain Creep, veteran stage and film actor Victor Spinetti as King Rat, and Kate Ritchie, better known as Sally in Australian soap Home and Away, as Alice.

Tickets for Dick Whittington, which runs from December 14 to January 20, are available from the Mayflower box office on 023 8071 1811.

ON AN equally festive note, producers of the Christmas show, which is taking place at the Nuffield theatre, Southampton, are now looking for talented youngsters to take part in this year's show, a version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The theatre is looking for three teams of ten children - including three or four Tiny Tims - to star in the production, which will be staged at The Nuffield from November 30 to January 12.

The final cast will be picked from auditions on September 22.

No acting or singing experience is needed.

For an audition form, call the Nuffield box office now on 023 8067 1771.