OVER 40 members of Gorleston-based Dusmagrik Young People's Theatre Company are busy putting the finishing touches to their latest production, Pinocchio, which takes to the stage of the Pavilion Theatre next week.

OVER 40 members of Gorleston-based Dusmagrik Young People's Theatre Company are busy putting the finishing touches to their latest production, Pinocchio, which takes to the stage of the Pavilion Theatre next week.

Pinocchio tells the story of the puppet who longs to be a real boy and is based on the original tale by Italian children's writer Carlo Collodi.

Making their debut in principal roles will be 10-year-old Olivia Mannall as Pinocchio, 12-year-old Aiden Pulford as Mr Cricket and 13-year-old Connor Russell as Lampwick.

Jamie Morgan is playing the dual “baddie” roles of puppet showman Strombolli and the Mysterious Coachman.

Several of the younger members of cast - some as young as six - will be making their first appearance on stage and are very excited at the prospect of singing with a live band.

Director Mary Carter said: “We always engage a professional Musical Director and we were delighted when John Stephens agreed to fit us into his busy schedule.”

The show runs from Thursday to Saturday next week at 7.30pm with a matin�e on the Saturday at 2pm.

Tickets �9 for adults and �5 for children available from the Pavilion Box Office on 01493 662832.