Panto season is upon us once more and the Thetford Players will be putting their twist on a classic for six shows from this Friday.

Jack & the Beanstalk will be brought to life by the amateur dramatic group at the Carnegie Room on the next two weekends.

Starting this Friday, revellers can join Jack from the dairy (Emma Patrick), Dame Madonna Trot (Tim Lovejoy), Simple Simon (Jade Balmer), Merrydale's King Betram (Phil Pearson) and Flunkit his Royal Flunky (Liz Staight) as they go on an adventure to rescue Princess Demelza (Charlie Wilson) from the clutches of the Giant (Stuart Wright) and his sidekick, Slimeball (Mark Robinson).

The pantomime will run over two weekends including two matinee performances.

Last year's pantomime, The Sleeping Beauty, has been nominated for Best Pantomime in the NODA East Region Annual Awards.

Caroline Foot, the show's director, said: 'I heard the news following our technical rehearsal at the weekend and couldn't be more excited.

'It takes a whole team effort to put on a pantomime, so everyone who was involved should be very proud of themselves.

'The timing couldn't be better as it gives this year's cast and crew an extra boost before curtain up on Friday.'

Thanks to funding from Shadwell Community Fund through Norfolk Community Foundation two of this year's performances will be signed for the deaf - on Friday, January 16 at 7.30pm and Saturday, January 17 at 1.30pm.

The remaining shows are on Friday, January 9 at 7.30pm, Saturday, January 10 at 1.30pm and 6.30pm, and Saturday, January 17 at 6.30pm.

Tickets are on sale from Leaping Hare, 20 King Street. Alternatively, go to www.leapinghare.org or call 01842 751975.

For further information contact thetford.players@hotmail.co.uk