THAT talented group, Tedburn Amateur Dramatic Society (TADS) present a most wonderful pantomime this month that you should not miss.

TADS will be presenting “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves”, a re-telling of the famous story from 1001 Arabian Nights, by the fabulous Ben Crocker.

Director Charles Pallot explains: "We hope that you will enjoy your trip with us to the East to meet Ali, a poor Woodcutter, and his girlfriend Safiya, as they have lots of adventures with their families and friends.

"Will they be able to defat the evil Mustafa Leikh and his band of thieves?

"Will Ali and Safiya get the riches they need so that they can get married?

"Will Kamilla the Camel's inventions work?  And will Ali's mother, the extremely beautiful (!) Rhum Baba, find true love?"

Performances will take place on Sunday, January 21 at 2.30pm and on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, January 25, 26 and 27 at 7.30pm.  There will also be a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday, January 27.

Tickets are priced at £10 for Over 16's, £5 for Under 16's, with discounts available for larger groups.

Tickets are available via: www.ticketsource.co.uk/tads-panto .

Alternatively, email: [email protected] or telephone 07917 794589.

Refreshments will be available and there will be a licensed bar for all evening performances.

Linda Bellshaw, Producer, said it had been wonderful to be meeting up again as a group to create and perform this year's Panto.

She explained: "Lots of old friends are back on stage and a few new ones too.

"We are particularly proud of our mix of generations, with an age range from seven to 80.

"Once again our team behind the scenes have created a magnificent array of colours, costumes and scenery.

"And thanks are due to our parents who have provided massive practical support and stepped up for a range of roles throughout the last few months.

"This year the charities we are supporting are Brain Research UK, and the Village Hall.

"We hope you enjoy our magical creation as it comes together once again."

CAST

The cast includes: Scheherazade (storyteller) - Louse Taylor, Ali Baba (Principal Boy) - Alice Smith, Rhum Baba (A clever camel) - Kirsten Drake and Sam Drake, Safiya (Principal Girl) - Sarah Drake, Cassim (Ali's richer brother) - Georgia Radford-Lewis, Sharon (Cassim's wife) - May Jessica Durrant, Huma (Safiya's younger sister) - Esther Smith, Mustafa Leikh (Chief Thief) - Hugh Vincent, Yessah (Assistant to Mustafah) - Phil Dyson, Nossah (Assistant to Mustafah) - Mollie Hope, Fab Rick (A tailor) - Andrew Smith, Loonah, Moonah and Noonah (Friends of Rhum) - Helen Tanner, Linda Bellshaw and Lynne Nardell, Wombat, Tommy Tosh and Sneezer (Thieves) - Freya Saunders, Savannah Drake and George Saunders, Other thieves - Caitlin Bradley and Isla Murphy, Villagers - Annabelle Harris, Harleigh Lake, Macey Lake, Holly Radford, Helen Tanner, Lynne Nardell, Sam Drake and Kirsten Drake.

Many other backstage and front of house helpers are also involved.

TADS put on its first show in 1953 and since then has produced a Panto almost every year, as well as Variety Shows, Dinner Shows and lots of great parties.

New members are invited to join the Society.