PICKERING Musical Society’s annual pantomime opens this week.

This year the society is performing Humpty Dumpty, written by Ron Hall and directed by Luke Arnold.

The panto is set in Nursery Rhyme Land, the kingdom of Old King Cole and Queen Ribena, who are played by society stalwarts Stephen Temple and Marcus Burnside.

When the evil Baron Bluebeard arrives in the land to attend the birthday of Princess Crystal strange things begin to happen and culminate with the arrival of eternal winter.

The whole kingdom has to evacuate to Little-Frolicking-On-Sea the home of Old King Cole’s mother in law Mrs Cordial. Whilst they are beside the seaside Humpty Dumpty, Simple Simon, Little Bo-Peep and Tommy Tucker hatch a plan to save Nursery Rhyme Land.

The society welcomes back sisters Imogen and Alice Rose who will once again play the principal boy and girl Tommy Tucker and Princess Crystal.

The cast features many familiar faces from Pickering Musical Society together with members of the Youth Theatre.

Participating in their first principal role is Jack Dobson and Maisie Metcalf both members of the youth theatre they will be playing Humpty Dumpty.

The panto also has a cast of over 50 and features dancers from the Sarah Louise Ashworth School of Dance.

Director Luke Arnold said: “I can’t quite believe we are back to panto season so soon. Last year was a huge year for us as we marked our centenary at Pickering Musical Society and 2020 looks to be as busy. Each year I wonder how we can create something more spectacular and magical than the last but with an army of volunteers both on and off stage it seems 2020 will be more spectacular than ever.”

“Pickering Musical Society and the Kirk Theatre are entirely self funded and everyone is a volunteer both on and off stage. By supporting our pantomime you are supporting our wonderful community theatre and a venue we are all proud of.”

Tickets for Humpty Dumpty are available online at www.kirktheatre.co.uk or via the Kirk Theatre Box Office on 01751 474833 and are priced from £13. The production runs from January 17 - 26.