WE seek him here, we seek him there . . . but for Faringdon Dramatic Society the subject of the hunt is The Scarlet Pumpernickel rather than Pimpernel as in the classic adventure novel.

With a title parodying the name of Baroness Emma Orczy’s famous story, the society’s pantomime offering The Scarlet Pumpernickel is, like the original tale, set against a background of the French Revolution.

It’s 1793 and the villagers of Saucisson-Sur-Mer are shocked when Citizen Chauvelin, played by Adrian Wells, threatens to ban their beloved pastime of boules unless they turn over the Scarlet Pumpernickel.

When Chauvelin arrests heroine Simone de Boudoir (Yvonne Kelly), hero Percy Breakneck (Laura Coleman), Dame Mimi Blancmange (Verity Roberts) and Mayor Gaston Legroom (Duncan Sinclair) devise a cunning plan to rescue her. And, with the chateau where Simone is imprisoned being allegedly haunted, the scene is set for a denouement of thrills and comic horror.

Other members of the large cast include: Chevrolet (Matthew Warner): Michelin (Charlotte Allum); Alphie (Seb Allum); Colette (Ellie Hickman); Charlie (Jayne Hoyland); Bertie (Debbie Lock); Freddy (Fiona Merrick) and Duc de Montmartre (Dave Headey).

The panto, which was written by Dave Buchanan, is being performed at Faringdon Junior School, The Elms, Gloucester Street, Faringdon, on Friday and Saturday, January 24 and 25, and Friday and Saturday, January 31 and February 1, at 7.30pm, with Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets are £8 adults and £6 children under 16 and available from www.faringdondramatic.org.uk, The Nut Tree, Cornmarket, Faringdon, or on the door. Family tickets priced at £20 for the Friday, January 24, performance are available on the door or for £21 online.