Leeds boasts a long and proud pantomime tradition and these memories plucked from the YEP archive turn the spotlight on the different productions which graced a stage in the city back in the day. World-famous city centre theatres are featured as well as lesser known venues in the suburbs. READ MORE: 18 Leeds city centre nightspots you probably visited during the 1990s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
![The cast of Dick Whittington which was being staged at Leeds City Varieties in 2000.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjUwY2E1MTAwLTVjZDMtNDgzYi1hY2ExLTA4ZDZhNGQwYTg5NzplOGE2NTBhNy0zY2U0LTQ4MTctYThjMS1jNGFjYzFlYTlhZDY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Leeds panto memories
The cast of Dick Whittington which was being staged at Leeds City Varieties in 2000. Photo: Third Party
![Firefighter Gary Holmes who was playing the ugly sister in the Yeadon Panto in December 1996 is pictured with some of his colleagues at Rawdon Fire Station. From left, are Keith Gale, Barry Whitaker, David Millington, Gary Holmes, Bob Feather and Ian Dorman.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjI1N2VhYjlhLWJkNWItNDUxYi04MDkwLTI1NTI2YjJmNjhjZDo1YTQ2ZDQ1My0yMDgyLTQ0NTctOWM3MC1jZjYwNTVlZjkwYzM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Leeds panto memories
Firefighter Gary Holmes who was playing the ugly sister in the Yeadon Panto in December 1996 is pictured with some of his colleagues at Rawdon Fire Station. From left, are Keith Gale, Barry Whitaker, David Millington, Gary Holmes, Bob Feather and Ian Dorman. Photo: Justin Lloyd
![Jamaican pantomime Roots and Boots was being staged in the Courtyard Theatre at West Yorkshire Playhouse. Pictured is ballerina Claire Howarth with some of the cast at the rehearsal in December 1997.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmExY2U2MmVlLTg4NmUtNDVmZS05NzYyLWIyNjY4Njg3MWYxYzplMTg4MzE1NS0wNjVlLTQyMWUtODNmMi0xMDgyNDMyMWUyNTM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
9. Leeds panto memories
Jamaican pantomime Roots and Boots was being staged in the Courtyard Theatre at West Yorkshire Playhouse. Pictured is ballerina Claire Howarth with some of the cast at the rehearsal in December 1997. Photo: Mel Hulme
![Rood Hood was being staged at the City Varieties in 2004. Pictured are Deborah McAndrew as Maid Marian, Ian Brandon as Robin Hood and Daniel Coll as Dame Dulcet.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmM5ZTM2ZDRhLTU1NzgtNGQ5Ni1iMjE1LTQ1MDE1YmVjZTdiYjpjNTdjNGMwNi00ODUwLTQ1ZGMtOTIyNS01NGMyMjA1ZGE5NDk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
10. Leeds panto memories
Rood Hood was being staged at the City Varieties in 2004. Pictured are Deborah McAndrew as Maid Marian, Ian Brandon as Robin Hood and Daniel Coll as Dame Dulcet. Photo: James Hardisty
![October 1998 and young hopefuls auditioned for a role in Aladdin at The Grand.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjk4ZWM3OTljLWFiMTMtNDA0OS04OWEwLTQxNDZiZDNiYTBhZDpmZGNjNTM4ZC05ZmNhLTRkMzYtYjVjMi1kODNmNTNiNTdjNDE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
11. Leeds panto memories
October 1998 and young hopefuls auditioned for a role in Aladdin at The Grand. Photo: Jim Moran
![Matthew Daines as Alladin and Cezarah Campos as Princess Dim Sun in panto at the City Varieties in November 1999.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjg3ZDk5MTQ3LTlkOWMtNGViNi1iNTM4LWJhOTkzNmM4ZmFlZjowYjhlODRkZi02MGQ5LTQwMjUtYjNkMC05ODVkYzU4MmU1ZTM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
12. Leeds panto memories
Matthew Daines as Alladin and Cezarah Campos as Princess Dim Sun in panto at the City Varieties in November 1999. Photo: Mel Hulme