The townsfolk of Kington refuse to be downhearted despite a terrible curse, is part of the storyline performed by Kington and District Operatic Society in their production called The Dragon’s Egg – a family pantomime set in medieval times and performed later this month.

The Sheriff blames the local witches and tries to catch them and lock them up. But, the Sheriff has a dark secret. He has stolen the egg of Drogana the Dragon Queen, and it is she who has cursed Kington.

Mrs Vacuum, the Professor's cleaner, and Alotoflese, his cat, arrive from the future and are imprisoned in the Sheriff's dungeon. Grizelda, the chief witch, helps them escape and joins with them to try to thwart the Sheriff's evil plans.

Can the Professor travel back in time to rescue Mrs Vacuum and Alotoflese? Will the Sheriff get his comeuppance? Will young Matilda complete her list of woodland wildlife? Will Godfrey, the Deputy Sheriff, win the hand of Hildegard, the Apothecary's daughter? Will Drogana get her egg back? Join us to find out as we sing, dance and joke our way through an evening of family fun.

The on-stage cast of about 36, includes the three witches Grizelda, Elphaba and Galinda played by Rachael Redfern, Pam Arnold and Trish Petterson, Mrs Vacuum the Dame played by David Francis, her cat Alotoflese played by Dilys Hollinghurst, the Sheriff played by Cliff Spooner and Godfrey played by Eloise King.

Rodney Bowdler will be Blondel, Karen Spooner plays the part of Marion while Jackie Turner and Maggie Maynard will be Punch and Judy.

The apothecary’s daughters Matilda and Hildegard will be played by Gigi Beale and Abigail Hollinghurst, while the author, Jim Smith, will play the apothecary.

Violet Redfern, Jacob Hodges and Myrna Smith will play the Junior witches, Snap, Cackle and Pop, Jess Squire will be Sir Cumference and Lee Moore will play Drogana.

A chorus of children including townspeople, woodland creatures, witches and warlocks will include Edie Goodwin, Millie Goodwin, Mya Griffiths, Annushka Hasleham, Amber Jones Katie Newton, Natasha Rees, Hiram Squire, Kayleigh Wood and Sam Garibbo.

While a chorus of adults will take various small parts and play townspeople, prisoners and dragon guards and they will include Midge Ault, Frank Banks, Pauline Bowles, Janet Boydell, Iwan Griffiths, Rachelle King, and Polly Maynard –Watkins.

The pantomime is produced by Lynne Owens, the musical director is Lorna Firth and the accompanist is Kath Ainsworth.

In charge of sound effects and percussion is Helen Smith, while Linda Ellams is the stage manager, set designer and painter and she is assisted by Beresford Vaughan. The choreography is by Dilys Hollinghurst and Lynne Owens, Pam Banks is in charge of props, Steve Leah is looking after the lighting and Magaret Evans is the prompt Some costumes have been hired from Ace Theatrical Costumiers and the wardrobe mistress is Rachelle King, with Alma Vaughan and Janet Francis in charge of make-up.

The programme has been designed by Dominic Poelsma and Bev Fensom will be front of house.

The pantomime by Jim Smith will take place at Lady Hawkins Community Leisure Centre, Kington on Thursday, February 22, Friday, February 23 and Saturday, February 24 at 7.30pm, with an additional matinee performance on Saturday, February 24 at 2.30pm.

Tickets for the show cost £7 for adults and £5 for under 18’s. They are available from Tom Bounds Electrical Shop at 32, High Street, Kington or by calling (01544) 231303 (daytime) and (01544) 231501 (evening).

For more information visit www.kingtonoperatic.co.uk.