COMEDIAN Jim Davidson sparked protests from musicians after he rejected live music for his Christmas pantomime at the Orchard Theatre, in Dartford.

Musicians are calling on panto-goers to complain about the lack of live music when booking tickets for the TV funnyman's panto Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Davidson is executive director of Sound Business, the firm producing the panto, which has been blacklisted by the Musicians Union for using pre-recorded music instead of a live band.

The demonstration outside the theatre, in Suffolk Road, last Friday, marks the third year a company associated with Davidson has not used live music.

Sound Business uses pre-recorded music because it gives the panto a West End-theatre style.

Musicians' Union branch officer for London south and south east Gary Hyde said: "We think several of the most successful shows currently filling the West End theatres are musicals with live bands such as Phantom and Les Miserables.

"Musicians don't just play the music written in front of them. They react to the audience with drum rolls, cymbals and whistles, adding to the whole performance."

He said pantomime bands also often provide children with their first introduction to live music.

The Orchard's theatre manager, Vanessa Hart, said: "From the theatre's point of view, this is the third panto production which has used this format of pre-recorded music, with musicians in a studio to record it in the first place.

"We've seen no adverse affects whatsoever from not having a band.

"This current production is beating all box-office records at the Orchard. There are very few seats available before Christmas."

Musicians' Union south west district organiser Paul Westell said: "If this trend continues, pantomime audiences will no longer experience the magical atmosphere and spontaneity only live music can create."

Sound Business is producing six pantomimes this Christmas across the UK.

December 14, 2001 15:30