Menston Thespians present their annual pantomime this week.

This year the group is performing Sleeping Beauty, written by Peter Long and Keith Rawnsley, and produced, with permission of NODA, by Marjorie Inman, with musical director Arnold Boddy and choreography by Laura Emsley and Louise Webster.

The Thespians have had to battle with sickness in the cast and rehearsals being disrupted because of the weather but they are hoping everything will be alright on the night.

Louise’s Dance School, Footloose, in Otley, provide the delightful Sunbeams and accomplished older dancers to give this production some razzmatazz.

The Thespians have the usual line-up of principals, joined this year by Martin Holmes and Debbie Taylor, from Yeadon, and Nick Howell is making a return to the stage in the part of Colonel Bogey.

He will join his mum, Sharon, who is playing the Fairy Godmother, and daughter, Niamh, who is the little fairy helper.

Niamh appeared for the first time at just five years old in last year’s production, playing the little fairy helper, and she gave up a sixth birthday party yesterday for dress rehearsals. She will celebrate on Sunday instead.

The production runs from tonight, Thursday, to Saturday, at 7.15pm, with a 2pm matinee on Saturday, at Kirklands Community Centre, in Main Street, Menston.

There are still a few seats left. Tickets are £8 for adults and £6 for under-16s, available from Menston Post Office.