Playing with fire is all part of a day's work for clowns Clive Webb and Danny Adams, as David Whetstone explains.

They are having a smashing time in Jack and the Beanstalk, but perhaps not for much longer.

Clive Webb (Farmer Trott) and Danny Adams (Jack), the father and son clowning team, have nearly exhausted the crockery stockpile that has sustained their plate smashing routine in the Theatre Royal panto.

"We are doing 12 shows a week and we have been getting through 100 a show," says Danny. "I reckon we have enough for four or five more shows. We're getting desperate."

If a generous benefactor with some surplus dinner services doesn't come forward soon, a plate rationing regime would seem to be the only solution.

Whatever happens, Clive and Danny will get laughter out of it. The accomplished pair were stars of last year's Cinderella and were invited back for this year's spectacular, along with Jill Halfpenny who has gone from Fairy Godmother to Mother Nature in the twinkling of an eye.

Having seen a lot of pantos over the years, I can honestly say that they don't come any better than this. Written and directed by panto-mad Geordie Michael Harrison, who used to run away from home as a kid to sample different cities' seasonal offerings, it has the perfect blend of laughs, scares and spectacle.

The home-grown talent that is Ms Halfpenny commands a stage with confidence and the addition this year of her fiance, Craig Conway, is just one more blessing.

One day Jill will be able to tell their grandchildren of the time Grandad Craig bestrode the stage as the green and terrifying Snot Gobbler, a villain with crystal clear diction.

But once again it is Clive and Danny who have us in stitches, not least the kids. My pair were both reduced to fits of the giggles. Well, it's not every day you see someone smashing 100 plates or setting his dad's head on fire. These are the things that make kids laugh.

I'm not kidding about the head on fire skit. It lasts a second or two, shortly after Danny has set his hand on fire and advised the children not to try this at home - but to go round a friend's and do it.

Meeting the pair in their dressing room just before they go on stage in Thursday's matinee, I ask about the health and safety considerations.

It prompts a multi-faceted response. Danny reveals that the first time he set his dad's head on fire it was an accident during his torch juggling on a unicycle routine. Understandably reluctant to explain the trick in detail, he says: "It was about four years ago and it caused a big argument - but we kept it in."

Like the seasoned trouper he is, Clive suggests health and safety has gone a bit too far.

"In our circus show in Great Yarmouth we wanted to have a flying trapeze act but they said he would have to wear a hard hat."

But along with the giggles and the indignation there's a mighty dose of professionalism.

Clive and Danny have been clowning for a long time and are masters of the art. It's clear that their act is finely honed, allowing plenty of space for the ad libs that they thrive on but always with a plan B if things don't quite go right.

It is this professionalism which has made the pair, who live in Blackpool, summer regulars in Great Yarmouth and has brought them back to Newcastle for a second panto appearance (talks about a third in 2007/8 are currently underway, according to Clive). They are also bringing their Circus Hilarious to the Theatre Royal for a single performance on February 11, a show also featuring various exotic European acts and Danny's brother, Jonny Marx. And if you are wondering why all these close-knit family performers all have different surnames, the best answer is that that's showbiz.

Clive was born in Sunderland and was a teenage drummer in pop bands before joining the Robert Bros Circus. There he learned the circus business inside out and ended up as head clown.

In 1972, he came second on TV's Opportunity Knocks, beaten by a singer called Bernie Flint.

Son Danny, whose mischievous good looks and silly voices make him the darling of young audiences, has been in the business for just about as long as he can remember.

He made his debut at the age of five in Manchester, dressed as a wizard and incarcerated on stage in a magic cabinet. Every time his dad opened the doors, young Danny would step out and kick him on the shins.

The pair have been supporting each other and abusing each other ever since. Danny is now 27 and Clive is 48 ("liar") or maybe 53 ("come on") but has a mug in his dressing room announcing that fact that he - or somebody - is 60. Whatever, he's good for someone who has "been in the business for 42 years" and has his head set alight 12 times a week.

Clearly the pair love what they do and Newcastle brings out the best in them. "We love the venue and the people as well," says Clive. "They're really up for a good time here," adds Danny.

* Jack and the Beanstalk runs until January 20 and there are still some seats available. Meanwhile, tickets for Aladdin, next season's panto, are already on sale. Tel: 0870 905-5060 for both.