A TALENTED cast of performers are preparing to bring a classic fairytale to life as showtime approaches for a Barrow panto.

This year, Sleeping Beauty is coming to the Barrow watering hole turned theatre, Cloud Nine, in Dalkeith Street, thanks to Joe Purdy productions.

Offering Furness families a modern twist on a traditional tale, the production opens tomorrow (15) at 6.30pm.

Organiser Joe Purdy is thrilled with how the production has come together, he said: "We have built this theatre from scratch, there's been hundreds of people taking part, and helping us out and helping us build this up.

"I think people don't realise we're here, and what we've done.

"For a lot of people this is their first experience of live theatre and we want to make it as good as it can possibly be- it's a magical event."

Complete with lights, pyrotechnics, and special effects, the cast will serve up two shows a day at 11.30am and 6.30pm, starting Sunday, December 17 with the first performance kicking off at 6.30pm on December 15 and another evening only performance on December 16.

Famous faces in the show include former Shameless star, Tina Malone as Carabosse and Eastenders regular, Ricky Groves as King Arthur.

The setting, in what used to be The Nines, has been transformed into a winter wonderland which also offers little ones the opportunity to meet Father Christmas in his grotto.

For tickets, go to www.joepurdyproductions.com.