THE 51st anniversary pantomime by the Whitestone Players, in its 52nd year, will be “Beauty and the Beast”, which will be staged in the Parish Hall from February 5 to 9.

Alan Frayn’s new and inspired script brings "Beauty and the Beast" well and truly into the realm of traditional pantomime whilst serving up a much more generous portion of comedy than is normally the case for this title.

Many new twists are turned along the way, ensuring a hilarious and action-packed adventure.

The story tells of the love of Belle (Beauty) for a Prince who has been transformed into a Beast by a wicked sorceress.

If he can find the love of another, without revealing his true identity, before the last rose of summer withers and dies, only then will the spell be broken.

Belle, whose father is imprisoned by the Beast, offers herself instead and discovers her captor to be her true love.

Set in and around the village of Franglais de la Mer, as Madame Fifi explains "…Franglais because we speak a mixture of French and English and de la Mer, probably ’cos they used to have horses!…", the pantomime also introduces some interesting new characters.

Among them are Belle’s two less glamorous sisters - Witney and Britney - both greedy for cash and completely bent on improving their looks.

To help them - Marcel and Monique - joint owners of the local beauty salon where all sorts of fun and frolics take place when the sisters turn up for their weekly therapy!

Performances commence at 7.30pm each evening and there will be a 2.30pm matinee show on the Saturday.

The very first performance staged by Whitestone Players in 1967 was “Jack and the Beanstalk”.

Ticket prices for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are £5 for adults and £2.50 for under 14’s and the Friday and Saturday (evening and matinee) shows are £6 for adults and £3 for under 14’s.

For the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday performances there is a buy four, get one free offer on tickets.

Bookings are now being taken and can be made by calling the Box Office on 01647 61723 or 07977 439419 or email: [email protected] .

For further details, visit the "Facebook" page "whitestonepanto".

All profits from the pantomime go to charitable causes and this year Whitestone Players are supporting WaterAid and Cheriton Bishop Pre-School.