FINAL preparations are underway for a touring Rossendale production which seeks to get under the skin of the valley.

Rehearsals are ongoing for the summer tour of Deep Time Cabaret, by Horse and Bamboo Theatre in Waterfoot, which reflects on the history of Rossendale’s hill and quarries.

Part of the groundbreaking Valley of Stone season, it will be performed as far afield as the Clearwell Caves in Gloucestershire, the Ustinov Studio at the Theatre Royal Bath, in Bath, and the Square Chapel, Halifax.

The performance, which incorporates puppetry, animation song and film, will periodically sweep back into East Lancashire for dates at the ACE Centre, in Nelson, on November 18, and The Boo Theatre, Waterfoot, on November 29.

The play has been devised and created by Bob Frith.

A theatre group spokesman said: “The show will be like a cabaret, linking short scenes with songs and puppetry.

“It mixes humour and dream-like imagery to create a sense of the vast time-scales involved in the creation of the landscape.”

The 80-minute show is backed by the Heritage Lottery Fund and is designed for community centres and schools, along with theatres.