RUMPLESTILTSKIN has been given a 21st Century make-over in a pantomime by the Pepperpot Players.

The main character, played by Viki O'Rourke, is a dwarf who runs a dot.com business dealing in magical futures.

After helping the beautiful Eudora (Vanessa Dawe) to spin straw into gold and so win a competition to become the bride of Prince Hughlet (Natalie Gardiner), he demands her unborn child.

Eudora is horrified, so Rumplestiltskin concedes that if she can guess the name of his dot.com business, he will give up the child.

The Upton-based cast has been rehearsing the pantomime, written by Merlin Price and Derek Dwyer, since October.

Director Richard Tippin said it had would not disappoint fans.

"I think people in Upton enjoy coming along to see a traditional panto and that's really what we're trying to put on. It's an old fashioned family panto," he said.

"Kids will enjoy it, mums and dads will enjoy it."

The production is set in the Regency era and costumes have been hired from a professional company in Worcester.

"The costumes and wigs are all Regency period and it's all very colourful and fun," said Mr Tippin.

Rumplestiltskin.com opens on February 15 and runs until February 19 at Upton Memorial Hall. Performances are at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available from £4 from PS Presents on Old Street, Upton.

The Pepperpot Players are holding auditions for a production of Ben Elton's Popcorn at 7.30pm on Wed-nesday, February 23, at Upton Memorial Hall.

There are parts available for four men and five women.