AN amateur dramatic society are promising a “fun, energetic and colourful” pantomime.

The Newmarket Operatic & Musical Society (NOMADS) will this year be performing their interpretation of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Director, Sarah Wilsher, said the show ticks every box needed for a traditional panto hit - from women pretending to be men to slapstick and audience participation.

She added: “Our annual panto is one of the most popular shows we stage and that is because ultimately it is good fun, colourful, musical and a great night out, whatever your age.

“The talented and experienced cast of Jack and the Beanstalk will make you laugh, tap your toes and if you dare, indulge in a spot of heckling!”

Organisers said the panto, which runs at the Kings Theatre, Fitzroy Street, Newmarket, follows the traditional fairy-tale where Jack is ordered to take the family cow, Daisy, to market to sell her for as many gold coins as possible.

But, on the way, he is approached by a nice old man (evil villain, Squire Snatchit in disguise) who persuades him to sell the cow forn a bag of beans.

In disgust, his mother, the colourful Dame Trott throws the beans into the garden, which results in a giant beanstalk growing up to the giant’s castle in Cloudland.

The sets for the panto are all painted by Suffolk artist Jacqui Jones.

The show runs from Saturday January 5 to Saturday January 12 with matinee performances on both Saturdays and Sunday.

Meanwhile Rapunzel and the Rascal Prince at the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds runs until January 13 with 21 performances of the record-breaking panto still left.

For information or tickets to NOMADS’ Jack and the Beanstalk see www.nomadskingstheatre.com telephone 01638 663337.

For informattion or tickets to Rapunzel see www.theatreroyal.org or telephone 01284 769505.