MORE than 50 young performers from East Lancashire will be transported to a desert island this week.

Celebrating 45 years of productions, St Mary’s Panto Group in Oswaldtwistle returns to the Civic Theatre from Thursday to Saturday with the tropical tale of The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe.

Producer Jackie Henderson said: “We’ve been going for 45 years this year and it’s a real community effort.

“We’ve got people who were in St Mary’s Panto as children who now come back as crew and bring their own children to be on stage.

“It’s a traditional pantomime story; Robinson Crusoe is deserted on an island, with Blackbeard’s treasure.

“His family sets out to rescue him, boy meets girl and falls in love, all with a great dose of comedy.

“We’ve got a cast this year of 52 kids, aged five to 17 – which is small for us.

“There’s music ranging from Red Feathers through to Little Mix, so there’s something for everyone.

“The kids are doing really well. We had a good dress rehearsal, now there are some early nights ready to open on Thursday.”

Performances take place at the Civic Theatre, Union Road, on Thursday and Friday at 7.30pm, and on Saturday at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets cost £6 from Accrington Town Hall, or by calling 07714 180359.

  • Tickets have now gone on sale for Sion Pantomime Society’s production of Snow White And The Seven Dwarves. The production takes place at Sion Baptist Church, Church Street, from February 19 to 23.

Tickets cost £7 for adults £5 for children, and £5 for concessions on the Thursday performance. Call 01282 453295 to book.