PANTO fun is set to become a fun village tradition once more – oh yes it is!

The Wizard of Edgworth will take to the stage this week, reviving the village’s tradition of a pantomime.

Based on the much loved musical “The Wizard of Oz”, the production celebrates the picturesque village and its surrounding areas by setting the magical story in Edgworth.

The village pantomime was a popular annual event for many years in Edgworth. And it was started-up again last year after more than 20 years by The Barlow, Edgworth and Appleton Dickenson Acting.

The Wizard of Oz was last performed in Edgworth 25-years-ago and this time villagers are under the control of the Wicked Witches of Westhoughton and banned from eating Holden’s Ice Cream.

Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas soon finds herself in trouble when her house lands on and squishes their sister, the Wicked Witch of Egerton. With her sisters seeking revenge the audiences will find out who will help Dorothy on her quest to restore peace in the village and meet the Wizard.

Janet Malone who played Dorothy in the 1991 version at The Barlow Institute remembers the production with great affection and said: “I’m so happy that the village pantomime has been revived, it was such a massive part of my childhood, and I can’t wait to see the show!”

And the directors, Lauren Dickenson and Anthony Appleton say there will be audience participation,’ and lots of surprises along the way.

The cast is made up of children from Edgworth and the surrounding areas including Bury, Darwen and other parts of Bolton.

The Barlow is run by a committee and last summer five trustees resigned over the status of The Barlow and a new board has been formed, with The Barlow itself running as usual.

The panto opens on Friday and shows on Saturday, January 26 and Sunday, January 27, Saturday, February 2, Sunday, February 3 with matinee performances on Sunday

Tickets are £10 adults and £6 16 and under available online only from The Barlow website: www.thebarlow.co.uk/whats-on

The Barlow, is on Bolton Road, Turton.

Acting classes start again in February, parents interested in enrolling their child should visit the website.