A CALL has gone out for actors to take to the stage in a panto with a local twist to be performed in North Yorkshire.

Mal Rowland, of the Parish Players, has written the panto Aladdin: A Lad in Bedale to be performed by local actors.

Mr Rowland, a hairdresser and owner of Personal Touches, on North End, in Bedale, is now seeking a cast to take on the parts.

Cast members can be either sex and if youngsters apply for parts Mr Rowland will pen a piece for them.

The 56-year-old said: "We set up a group at St Gregory's Church, in Bedale, to make the church part of the community.

"We put our thinking caps on and came up with the idea of a panto. The play is for the community and the cast don't have to be church members.

"Acting in a panto is the most difficult of the theatre disciplines as although you are talking nonsense the characters have to be believable.

"I'm holding auditions on Monday (29 sept) in the Old Grammar School, on North End, Bedale, from 7.30pm.

"Anyone can come along and audition. They don't have to live in Bedale to take part."

Mr Rowland has drawn on his time in New York where he was in the choir for various Broadway shows for experience.

He has also spent time on the stage in Devon and he has experience of been a panto dame.

The panto will run during the week starting February 16 in the Chantry Hall, Bedale, near St Gregory's Church.

An exact start date is still to be decided as have ticket prices but the show will start at 7.30pm.

Mr Rowland is also running a variety show called It's A Grand Night in the Chantry Hall from October 31 to November 1 from 7.30pm with entry £6.

Anyone who would like to take part in the variety show or who wants details on the panto should call Mr Rowland on 01677-423281.