Return to Pantoland, staged by West Suffolk College’s Conservatoire East, opens today in Bury St Edmunds

A theatrical production called Return to Pantoland starts today in Bury St Edmunds.

It’s an original piece that has been created by Conservatoire East, the acting academy based at West Suffolk College.

Written and directed by performing arts course director Erica Dupuy, the story sees Queen Rat try and take over ‘Pantoland’ amidst a power battle with a new mayor who promises the world (and a new well) to his community.

Erica said: “It’s family friendly and has all of the panto classics like ‘he’s behind you’, a bit of satire and some big musical numbers including recognisable versions of songs created by Britney, Kylie and The Kaiser Chiefs. We have a cast of 16 and the show is great for the actors and the audience as they will get to see something that has never been performed before.”

Emily Patrick, 17, from Long Melford, near Sudbury, is playing the principal male character called Jack B. Nimble. Emily said: “It’s an action adventure show with lots of plot twists. It’s fun to perform and I can’t wait for people to see it.”

Abbie Good, 17, from Exning is playing Jenny Juniper. Abbie said: “It’s a unique high energy show. In a good way, it will be like nothing anyone has ever seen before.”

The show runs from today to Saturday, December 2. To book tickets see here.

All shows start at 7.30pm (apart from a matinee on Saturday) and tickets are all priced at £14.

It is on at the Conservatoire EAST Theatre at West Suffolk College in Out Risbygate.