An adaptation of the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast will raise the roof in Northbourne, near Deal, next week.

The Hare & Hound Players are preparing for the curtain to rise on their sixth production which will be at the Parish Hall, The Drove, on Friday, February 5, to Sunday, February 7.

In what is the fourth panto written by Floyd Toulet, he promises the cast of 23 will do “terrible things to the timeless story”.

He added: “It is a celebration of love, loneliness and lunacy, set in the magically mental kingdom of Northbournia, where men wear dresses and everyone is perfectly okay with that.”

Among the star players are Bex Wood (Scrumptious Arkwright) and Jimmy Dean as The Beast.

Other well known names include David Smith as Lady Gardenia and Ian Denne as Randolph the Wizened.

Tickets can be bought from the Hare & Hounds pub in Northbourne on 01304 369188 and the Crown in Finglesham on 01304 612555.

Performance times for Friday and Saturday are 7.30pm. There are matinees at 3.30pm on Saturday and Sunday. Adults £6.50, Children £3.50. Proceeds will be donated to the British Heart Foundation.