A CHURCH drama group that has been running for almost 50 years is back with the classic tale of Long John Silver.

Old Gourock and Ashton Parish Players raised the curtain on Treasure Island, a tale of buccaneers and buried gold, earlier this week.

Boosted by a number of new faces, the group has been been busy rehearsing since August.

Producer Morven Lyle said: “Everyone has worked really hard, including the cast and those backstage. We paint all our own scenery.

“We have a lot of new members this year and have had more people on stage than we’ve enjoyed for the last couple of years.

“It’s good to see a lot of new people getting involved.”
Despite the upturn in numbers, the group are still short of male actors.

Morven added: “If anyone would like to join, they would be made very welcome!”

Morven says the Parish Players have remained popular because they offer traditional entertainment at Christmas and with their evergreen spring shows.

She said: “It’s good old fashioned fun. We’re like a family, we all get on, we enjoy ourselves and entertain the community.

“Everyone loves the pantomime, its the curtain-raiser on Christmas for lots of people.”

The players started after there was a fire in their church and a new roof was needed for the hall – and have been performing ever since.

Morven says they wanted to do something different this year.
She said: “It’s not a show we’ve performed before and the kids love pirates, so it was a popular pick.”

Secretary Ann Dick said: “The pantomime is a tradition and we’re looking forward to celebrating our 50th year with a bang.”

Treasure Island runs at the Binnie Halls in Gourock until Saturday.

Tickets can be booked by calling 713406.