IF you go down to Woodbridge’s Seckford Theatre this Christmas you’re in for a big surprise.

The Deben Players are staging Goldilocks and the Three Bears from this Thursday to January 2.

Full of sketches, slapstick, dance numbers, music and plenty of audience participation, it centres around Dame Sparkles’ efforts to save her circus from the villainous Zarzell.

Hope arrives in the form of her daughter, the titular heroine, who finds out the forest is home to some singing and dancing bears.

Rehearsals, which started in September, have been going well says director Sam Harvey.

“Obviously the weather’s taken its toll on a couple; we’ve had to cancel them. Hopefully it won‘t interfere any more or with construction of the set.”

The production, which boasts a Seventies’ vibe in terms of music and costumes, promises something for everybody she adds.

“Being based around a circus there’s loads of dancing girls and the three bears have to speak in rhyme. We’ve got Nintendo Wii Fit in there as well; if you think about 3D television… well I don’t want to give too much away.

“It’s good value for a family to come out for two-and-a-half-hours entertainment.”