The Apollo Theatre is serving up a fiendish family fantasy instead of a panto for Christmas this year.

Its next production is a stage adaptation of Roald Dahl's famous children's story 'The Witches', in which a boy and his grandmother manage to foil the Grand High Witch's evil plot to rid the earth of all children... but not before the boy gets turned into a mouse!  The production has been billed as 'top drawer family entertainment' and 'a glorious journey of fiendish fantasy'.

The Apollo has lined up a cast representing all ages, including members of the theatre's Apollo Juniors.

The show is directed by husband and wife team Amy and Dan Burns.

Amy said: "We have loved directing The Witches! It is a fabulous production and has been a real team effort, with amazing costumes, and a clever stage set that I won't say too much about ..."

'The Witches' is on December 4 and 5 (a Saturday matinee replacing the evening performance), and from December 8 to 12.

More details at www.apollo-theatre.org.uk

Picture shows:  Amy Burns (bottom right) directing Chrissie Blow as the Grand High Witch (front centre) with other members of the cast in a scene from 'The Witches'.