GREENOCK Players promise a fabulous festive time for all the family at their forthcoming panto.

This year the Players are staging Jack and the Beanstalk in the Beacon Arts Centre, with the team hard at work preparing for a run of performances which begins late this month.

An annual favourite in the Christmas social calendar, the show involves a cast made up of adults and children from the local community.

The group’s Ashley Smith said: “Being part of our pantomime is a fantastic opportunity to bring people from the local community together to work with our experienced director, technicians and musicians to produce an incredible performance.

“It takes hard work and commitment, with rehearsals on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons from August up until the show opens in November but it’s totally worth it.

“You meet lots of wonderful people, make lifelong friends, learn new skills and take part in a fabulous show performed to enthusiastic audiences over nine performances.” Greenock Players is an amateur theatre club which was established by Ray Linn Craig and her husband George Brown in 1943.

Both were both founder members of the much-loved Greenock Arts Guild.

Under Craig’s guidance the Players had many successes in the Scottish Community Drama Association Festivals.

Her legacy lives on as the club continues to enjoy a reputation for high standard performances.

They have the distinction of producing the longest running amateur pantomime in Britain and continue to thrive, with an active club membership of over 50 adults and a strong youth section with over 40 children.

This year sees their 67th production, with the club’s stalwarts working hard behind the scenes to come up with a real Christmas cracker.

The cast is as follows: Jack Trot-Keegan Friel; Jill (his girlfriend)-Ashley Smith; Dame Trot-Jacqui Templeton; Squire Macguire-Chris Gavin; Fleshcreep-Graham Campbell; Fairy Flora-Nicola McEachnie; Giant Blunderbore-Steve Gorman; Daisy the cow-Sarah Harris and Lesley Dick.

The director is Julie Henry, with Donald Campbell the musical director and Ruaridh Forde choreographer.

Show dates are Friday 27 November to Saturday 5 December, excluding 29th and 30th November, at 7.30pm.

Matinees will also be held on Saturday 28 November and Saturday 5 December at 2.30pm.

For tickets call 723723.