Join the Wellworth Players as they make their way along the yellow brick road to the Emerald City.

The group is set to stage its annual pantomime at Needingworth Village Hall next week and is inviting families to make the most of the half term break by stopping by to see The Wizard of Oz.

The classic tale of young Dorothy and her adventures in the mysterious land of Oz will be given a comedy spin.

On the agenda are plenty of pantomime jokes and slapstick with contemporary songs and Hollywood favourites, a combination which they hope will entertain young and old alike.

Loved the world over, the story originates from L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

When Dorothy’s Kansas farm house is swept away in a cyclone, she and her pet dog Toto find themselves dropped in a field in Munchkin Country - an eastern territory in the mystical Land of Oz.

Her falling house soon helps to ingratiate her with the natives as it accidentally squashes and kills their evil ruler, the Wicked Witch of the East.

Despite being surrounded with magical new neighbours, the Good Witch of the North tells Dorothy that she must go to the Emerald City and ask for the help of the Wizard to find her way home.

Along the yellow brick road to the city she meets a ragtag band of new friends - the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion - who are all seeking the Wizard’s help. Together, they must face danger and beat the odds to triumph over the Wicked Witch of the West before their wishes can be granted.

The story was adapted into a popular Broadway musical in 1902 followed by the classic 1939 film starring Judy Garland.

Other recent stage and screen versions include the hit Broadway and West End musical Wicked and 2013 film Oz the Great and Powerful.

An established group, the Wellworth Players’ last production The Happiest Days Of Your Life has been nominated for ‘Best Drama’ in the National Operatic and Dramatic Association’s Eastern District annual awards.

Buoyed by their recognition, once again the cast promises a fun-packed show to help bring the pantomime season to a close in style.

INFORMATION: Performances are at 7.30pm from Thursday, February 19 until Saturday, February 21, with an additional matinée at 2.30pm on the Saturday. Tickets cost £6 and are available from the Queen’s Head, Needingworth, Whateley’s Newsagents, St Ives (next to the Co-op) or Chatters Café, Needingworth. Alternatively, you can book tickets by calling the group’s answer phone on 07527 421535 . For more, visit www.wellworthplayers.co.uk, www.facebook.com/WellworthPlayers or use the Twitter handle @WellworthPlayer.