The Crown Players are one of Gloucester’s oldest amateur dramatic companies.

Founded in 1956, the group is based at The Kings Theatre in Gloucester and puts on three productions each year.

Every other year the company marks the festive period with a pantomime, and this year will be bringing their take on a classic to the stage.

“Our next production is Sleeping Beauty which I have written and am directing,” said longstanding member Joy Davis.

“We have a great cast who are working very hard to bring everything together for a fantastic show.”

Joy has been a Gloucester local all her life, bar a brief spell living in Cardiff.

She has been involved in theatre for over 40 years, in acting, directing and writing roles, and has been part of the Players for much of that time.

“Originally we were called St Barnabas Players as we were located in St Barnabas Church Hall in Tuffley,” she continued.

“The Crown Players have approximately 25-30 members of all ages, and we do a range of plays but mostly comedy.”

This year the Players have already produced ‘Kevin’s Above’ and ‘The Vicar of Dibley’, and will be bringing ‘Sleeping Beauty’ to The Kings Theatre from Wednesday 18th to Saturday 21st December, with a Saturday matinee performance at 2.30pm.

Rehearsals began at the end of September and Joy says they’ve been going very well.

“The cast are still laughing at the jokes and antics and we are having fun in rehearsal.

“There are quite a few differences for preparing for panto as the cast is much bigger and because of that we rarely get a full cast to rehearsals until nearer the performances.”

The Players will be joined on stage by members of the Acting Out youth drama group, which is run by the Crown Players secretary Amy Parkin.

Despite the challenges that come with preparing for a panto, Joy admits she loves these types of shows more than any other.

“Personally pantomime is my favourite as it appeals to my sense of humour,” she said.

“The songs we do in the panto are modern songs with the words rewritten by my husband Simon, so that the songs carry the story onwards.

“The set has to be carefully thought out as it has to accommodate several scenes in different places and it’s imperative that the panto flows.”

For more information on the Crown Players visit www.crownplayers.co.uk

Tickets for ‘Sleeping Beauty’ can be bought via www.kingstheatregloucester.co.uk