A FOREST performer returned to her roots on Saturday (December 15) and brought her own entertainment with her.

Sarah Jane Jeffery from Cinderford, who studied at Five Acres College and graduated with a performing arts degree from the University of Gloucestershire in 2013, set up Odd Socks Entertainment in Liverpool, last year.

And she came back to Lydney Town Hall at the weekend with Sleeping Beauty, the company’s first production.

She said: “My career has taken me to lots of different places and I am now living and working in Liverpool.

“I always knew I wanted to perform and in recent years decided I wanted to be my own boss and start my own company. One year on, I am running a successful business and we are taking our first project into schools and theatres all over the UK.

“My mum still lives in Bream and I’ve got lots of family and friends here, so I wanted to perform back at home.

“I got in contact with Lydney Town Hall and we performed there at the weekend. I was very excited, and slightly nervous, about coming back, but we did two performances, in the afternoon and evening.

“We had a great turnout, with nearly 200 people for the matinée performance and about 90 in the evening.

“We tried to keep the tickets reasonably priced and the response from the audience was really positive.

“Our script was carefully written by us and features a great musical score using all the latest chart hits which children love.

“We ensure our shows are suitable for all ages and are topical and relevant.

“Sleeping Beauty tells the story of Princess Aurora, the most beautiful princess in all of the land, who falls into a deep sleep after the evil Maleficent lays a curse on her.

“The cast of characters attempting to rescue her includes the handsome prince, Flora the Fairy and Dame Dolly Dumpling, and they need all the help they can get.

“It was a fantastic show with a fantastic team of performers and an even better adventure as the audience helped us save the princess and stop the gruesome Maleficent,” said Sarah Jane.

“We’ll be returning next year with Aladdin and we hope this will become a regular event.”

Odd Socks perform in schools, theatres, hotels and halls.

For more information about Sarah Jane’s company, or for other performance dates until January 6, visit www.oddsocksentertainments.co.uk