WHEN Droitwich Spa couple, Bon and Betty Bartlett, saw the Norbury Theatre was staging Jack and the Beanstalk this month, it must have brought back some very happy memories.

Bon and Betty met when they starred in the very same pantomime in Droitwich some 52 years ago.

Betty starred as the principal boy and Bon played the giant on the stage of Salters Cinema in 1953. It was one of the last pantomimes to be put on at the old cinema, which is now the town's library.

Friend and fellow amateur dramatist, Jean Philpott, fondly remembers how the two lovebirds got together.

"Betty stayed over at my house one night and Bon was so struck on her that he was back on my doorstep early the next morning to see her.

"They married quite soon after they met," added Jean.

The Alexander Avenue couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary two years ago.

Before the days of the Norbury Theatre shows were staged at either the old cinema in Victoria Square or the Winter Gardens.

The Droitwich Amateur Theatrical Society staged the pantomimes, while The New Players put on plays and more serious dramas. However, in 1962, the two Droitwich groups joined forces to create the Droitwich Theatre and Arts Club moving to their current stage in Friar Street.

Jack and the Beanstalk will run at the Norbury Theatre from tonight (Wednesday) until this Saturday. Curtain up is at 7.30pm and there is also a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost £7 and £6.50 and are available from the box office on 01905 770154.