THE COTSWOLD Players are staging a British musical version of Peter Pan at the Cotswold Playhouse this month.

It promises to be a spectacular show with many special effects, creative dance numbers and a smattering of toe-tapping songs.

The villainous Captain Hook and his crew of brigands will be doing everything in their power to capture Peter Pan, Wendy and the Lost Boys.

Judy Couch, the director, said: "Peter Pan has something for everyone, the boy who doesn't want to grow up, the feud between Peter and Hook, confusion of first love and swashbuckling adventures.

"This has proved to be a technically challenging production, something the Cotswold Players relish, along with developing and learning new skills.

"We hope that the audiences will be able to suspend belief, sit back and enjoy journeying with us to Neverland."

"All the members of the Cotswold Players have put huge effort into this production," added publicity officer Dave Kilmister, "not least Richard Loftus, who is playing the title role of Peter Pan.

Sarah Davis-Berry appears as Wendy - an ambition since she first started acting - and Anthony Young as the evil Captain Hook. We hope that it will be the perfect antidote to those post-Christmas blues!"

The matinee performances are sold out, but there are still evening tickets available from the Stroud tourist information office.

The show runs from January 12 to 14 and then from January 18 to 21. The curtains go up at 7.30pm. Tickets are £9 or £6 concessions.