THEATRE fans at Kennington are gearing up to enjoy another colourful production from their local drama group.

Kennington Amateur Dramatic Society (KADS) will stage eight performances of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, starting next Thursday. The panto is being put on by a cast of 40 local actors and actresses.

Proceeds from the first performance will go to the British Acoustic Neuroma Association in memory of KADS treasurer Stuart Hawthorn, who died last month aged 49.

Writer and director Joe Graham, who grew up in Kennington but now lives at Witney, said he hoped for a bumper turn-out.

The 49-year-old director, who wrote the panto with brother Jim, 51, from Glasgow, said: “It’s not a typical traditional pantomime — it’s quite quirky.

“We take to the streets of Paris and encounter magic, gypsies, witches and gargoyles.

“The people of Paris are held under the spell of the Bell of Notre Dame and trouble ensues when the bell ‘goes missing’.

“It’s up to Quasimodo to recover the bell and save the day.”

He added: “I try to write for the kind of panto that appeals to everyone, not just kids, with some stirring new musical numbers.

“It’s a comical musical really. The songs are original and catchy, and we push the cast very hard to perform to a high standard.”

Gargoyle Katie Mansfield, 25, whose husband Sam, 28, plays Quasimodo, said the cast had been rehearsing every Tuesday and Sunday since September.

Last year, she played Princess Almera in Sinbad, which won Oxfordshire Drama Network’s pantomime competition.

She said: “It’s been fantastic.

“I’m doing the choreography as well, so it’s been quite a challenge. Everyone’s been really enthusiastic.”

The Hunchback of Notre Dame, or Quasimodo A Gogo, will be performed at Kennington Village Centre from Thursday, January 22, to Saturday, January 24, and Thursday, January 29, to Saturday, January 31, at 7.30pm, and there will be matinée performances on both Saturdays during the run, at 2pm.

Mr Graham said the Saturday matinées were likely to sell out quickly, but thought tickets for the performances on the Thursdays and Fridays would be easier to get hold of. Tickets, priced £8/£5.50, can be booked via the panto box office on 01865 739025.