A LONG-STANDING musical stage society promises a right ‘carry on’ with its forthcoming pantomime production.

The CBS Musical and Stage Society launches its 65th anniversary year with a new adaptation of the traditional panto, Sleeping Beauty.

Audience-goers at the six-night run at the Empire Theatre, Consett, County Durham, can look forward to a new treatment for the familiar festive fairy-tale.

It will be a classic British ‘Carry On’ version of the much-loved story, highlighting the talents of the large cast of local performers, aged from seven to 70-years-old.

Formed in 1945, the ‘CBS’ features amateur thespians of all ages and from various walks of life in neighbouring communities, Consett, Blackhill and Shotley Bridge.

Founder member, Ruth Harrison, said: "It’s incredible to think we’ve have been producing theatre, purely on a voluntary basis, for 65 years.

"Sleeping Beauty is a wonderful way to kick-start 2010 and our anniversary year which will culminate with performances of ‘My Fair Lady’ and a celebratory ‘Ball in the Fall’."

The cast features CBS regular Neil Pears as ‘Dottie Dettol’, while Ben Dixon and Ian Mordue provide comedy capers as ‘Fetch and Carry’.

The pantomime also enables families to tread the boards together, including mother and daughter Virginia Aken and Billie Aken-Tyers.

It runs from Monday to Saturday, January 25 - 30, with curtain up at 7.30pm each night.

There will also be a Saturday matinee, at 2.15pm.

Tickets costing £6, with a two-for-one offer on opening night, are available from the theatre box office, on (01207) 218171.