Melvyn Morrow has written six pantomimes for the series Christmas at the Sydney Opera House. His favourite is Santa meets the Bushrangers, which was revived for the third time in a professional season at the North Sydney Independent Theatre in Christmas 98. The characters are Mother Kelly, Molly Moonlight Charlie Thunderbolt, Danny Boy ( his brother ) Ned Kelly, Santa Ghost of Amnesia and various miners. The scene opens with Mother Kelly opening her Devonshire tea shop, (hiding the no frills label on the jam ) and welcomes some scruffy looking customers. Mother Kelly: Pull up a chair Mr Thunderbolt... Thunderbolt.. haven't I heard that name before. Thunderbolt: Banking. My Father is Captain Thunderbolt, the famous bank robber. I mean bush ranger. I mean range rover. Danny Boy: He means bush rover. I mean range robber. Mother Kelly: You're the bright one? Both Boys : Yes. Mother Kelly: What a pair of Galahs. You mean bank manager. Thunderbolt: That sort of thing. Yes he manages other people's money. When he manages to get it. Mother Kelly: Well isn't that a coincidence . My darling son Edward Kelly, works in the money market in Sydney. Doing very well. Always sends his mother a cheque every month. Now what can I get you boys. Thunderbolt: We'd like a devonshire tea. Danny Boy: Yes I'd like some devon. Mother Kelly: You're the bright one? Both Boys : Yes. *********************** Melvyn has written five others based on traditional themes such as laddin and Cinderella. All have been tremendously successful. They follow a similar pattern. They have traditional Christmas carols to be sung by a choir and or audience and include a traditional nativity scene. As a special service Melvyn will rewrite the pantomime to suit your audience. Just send him a list of local characters who deserve ' special ' attention. Royalties: 12.5%.