Burley Players staging popular pantomime Mother Goose at the village hall on Pound Lane

TRADITIONAL panto fun is on the agenda as the popular Burley Players return with the classic story of Mother Goose.

Opening this weekend (20th and 21st January), the show continues from Thursday 25th to Saturday 27th January at the village hall on Pound Lane.

Described as a whole village affair, the production has called on the skills of many local people including scenery painters, costume designers, make-up artists and prop designers.

Burley Players member Bruce Clitherow revealed that the cast mainly comprises Burley and Bransgore residents, with a number of children from the village school taking part in chorus roles.

He said: “The panto actually costs quite a lot to put on because we have to hire in many of the costumes, but our summer production helps to cover these costs.”

Billed as a classic pantomime, Mother Goose is a captivating moral tale for all the family. Directed by Annie McTaggart, the fun-filled script by Alan P Frayn tells the story of a poor Goose Farmer who is given a goose that lays golden eggs and the temptations that then beset her.

Will she fall victim to her landlord, the callous Squire and his barmy bailiffs, or to the evil Demon Queen and her ghouls? Or will she be saved by her daughter Jill, her son Silly Billy and the Good Fairy?

Assistant director Debbie Clay added: “A production like this involves so many in a small village like ours. Everyone has been working so hard since September and it is now all coming together into a wonderful show!”

Mother Goose is on stage at Burley Village Hall from 20th to 27th January with evening and matinee shows. Tickets £12 for adults and £8 for under 16s. To book visit www.thelittleboxoffice.com/burleyplayers