PANTO goers will be transported to a land above the clouds for “a good old knees up” next weekend at the Wesley Players’ latest production, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’.

The local theatre group are back after an enforced break for three performances at Cinderford’s Miners Hall next Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 27, 28 and 29) to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The group, which was originally established in 1956, are looking forward to taking to the stage with performers old and new for the production, which promises to be a “delightful” show filled with fun and laughter.

Produced by group members Lynn Teague and Louise Bullen from a script by Elsie Olivey, updated by Lynn, the panto shares the fortunes of Jack (Louise Bullen), his Mum Emily Counterfoil the Village Post Mistress (Lynn Teague), and his little brother Joe (Matthew Bullen) as they struggle to make ends meet to keep the Post Office afloat.

Jack is conned by three ‘posties’, Floss, Flo and Fred (Tanya Sudelin, Hannah Melia and Lorraine Symonds), into selling Clara, the familiy cow, for a bag of beans. 

When taking his proceeds back to mum Emily, she throws the useless beans out of the window, only to find that the next morning they have grown into an enormous beanstalk.

Jack plans to climb the beanstalk assisted by Princess Elizabeth (Kim Owston), leaving Emily worrying at home and comforted by King Claude - group newcomer Harrison Macey.

Off to seek his fortune in the land above the clouds, Jack is confronted by a fierce Ogre and his wife (Harrison Macey and Shirley James) - who decide they want to eat him!

The players ask: “Will Jack escape and get home to Emily? Will Merrymind (Morgan Probert) and Fairy Quicksilver (Isobel Johnson) save the day?

“Will Lucy  (Tehya Rose Bullen), Marjorie (Nora Manns), Daisy (Connie Simmonds) and Peter (Tyler Crowell) help to cheer Jack on?”

A “delightful” children’s chorus of fairies and posties will accompany the show, choreographed by Laura Hyde and Lim Owston, with a prompt from Gill Witney and lighting and sound by Martin Harrison.

The Friday and Saturday performances start at 7:15pm, while the Sunday Matinee starts at 2pm.

Tickets cost £7.50 for adults, £6 for children and concessions and £25 for a family ticket (two adults and two children).

To reserve tickets, which are available on the door on the performance dates, contact Lynn on 07939399125.