Anna Meares will be following the Yellow Brick Road in Wizard Of Oz in Purton this week when she treads the boards for the first time in pantomime.

Anna joins the actors from Purton Amateur Dramatic Society in their take on the famous story. The pantomime has been adapted by Leonard H Caddy. Lindsey Hall takes the part of the lion and is also co-director with Jayne Hargreaves.

Lindsey said: “We have been rehearsing since September and had loads of people audition, but we struggled to find a Dame. Now we have a new man on board, Dave Mitchell, who is Aunt Em the Dame.”

There are 25 in the cast, including Christine Saunders as the Scarecrow and Len Page as the Tin Man. Christine is no stranger to acting and performs regularly at Bradon Forest.

“We have lots of new children in it too,” said Lindsey.

The actors are supported by a creative back stage crew who build all the sets and do the painting.

The also sew all their costumes - Lindsey is chief wardrobe mistress when it comes to threading needle and cotton. Wizard Of Oz The Panto is at the Purton Village Hall from tomorrow until Saturday at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets are £6 and £3 concession from 01793 771890.