THE opening night for the return of a popular pantomime outside Oswestry has helped raise hundreds of pounds for a local rotary club.

The 'legendary 'Rhydycroesau Pantomime returned last Saturday after a Covid break of two years with 'King Offa and the Dragon' and it was certainly a joyous homecoming as the cast took on this wonderful story, written by members of the team, Brian Smith and Tom Evans.

It is a very funny take on Celtic, Welsh, Saxon and general border politics and myths from the dark ages, mixed with slapstick, reworded songs and of course, a very large, very red dragon whose voice seems to come from the very earth the characters are squabbling over.

The opening night was a fundraiser for Borderland Rotary Club and members and friends raised nearly £500 for local good causes.

Chris Bryan-Smith, Borderland Rotary President, said: “The warmth and simple fun of the show was so refreshing as King Offa tries to take control of Wales with the help of his scheming Queen and inept Prime Minister, Boris.

"Prince Owain defends the honour and land of his Celtic forefathers and inevitably, falls in love with Princess Freya, the daughter of King Offa and the Queen.

"And, of course, there is a massive Dragon to deal with.

"The work that goes into these productions is immense and the cast, crew and musicians and everyone involved deserve a resounding round of applause.

"Just what you need on a cold January evening – just a great show."

Chris added that the lead characters put on a fine show with the bombastic King Offa (Elspeth Carr) obsessing about his turnip diet and assisted by his noisy henchmen, Bogoffa (Jonathan Jones) and Clearoffa (Julia Walkey) while the Queen (Heather Smith) plots world domination with her Prime Minister, Boris (Demi Williams).

Prince Owain (Tom Evans) plays an heroic, brave and principled Welshman but he is soon smitten by Princess Freya (Bekah Plaisted) a delicate yet outspoken flower who wants peace at all costs and soon falls in love with Owain.

Jones the Sheep (Harry Jones) a young shepherd plays a blinder and seems to know all the words to all the songs.

You can see the show at Rhydycroesau Village Hall SY10 7JA on Friday, January 20, Saturday, January 21, Friday, January 27, Saturday, January 28 at 7.30pm with matinees on Sunday, January 22 and Sunday, January 29.

Tickets are £6 for adults and £3 for children, and are available by calling 01691 238227.