TWENTY years since she penned Sleeping Beauty for the annual Lydbrook Players pantomime, Denise Hogan has returned with Rumpelstiltskin.

More than 200 people watched the children’s favourite fairytale over four performances at Lydbrook Memorial Hall.

She said: “So many people came to support us over our four performances, we couldn’t quite believe how many. The shows went very well and everybody gave us good feedback.”

Denise said it took her six months to write the script which stars Geoff Dixon as Rumpelstiltskin, who plays a strange little man dancing around in the woods while three village idiots try to find him.

“The kids just loved the pantomime and following Rumpelstiltskin’s adventure,” Denise added.

“I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the cast bring the pantomime to life and I can’t thank those who helped enough. The last time I wrote a pantomime was 20 years ago. It just so happens Sleeping Beauty and Rumpelstiltskin are my favourite children’s fairytales and it was great to write a pantomime about them.

“I have no plans to write next year’s pantomime.”

Like last year, the Players raised money for a good local cause. This year Lydbrook Community Care, who offer help to the elderly, disabled, vulnerable and socially-isolated in the Forest, will benefit from the proceeds raised.

Committee member, Jill Croxall said: “We raised over £100 which will be added to a further collection at our spring play of Tomb with a View by Norman Robbins on April 21, 22 and 23 at Lydbrook Memorial Hall. Lydbrook Players will top up the total.”

•See this week’s Review for more photographs.