Traditional panto is coming to the Wellesley Theatre in Wellington next week – even if the title ‘Hercules’ may not be familiar.

This new and exciting pantomime features all the classic elements audiences know and love with custard pie scenes, chases around the theatre and audience cries of ‘he’s behind you’.

The hero Hercules (Michael Cole) and his love-interest Meg (Hannah Deason-Barrow) in turn battle Hades (Jack Glanville) and his clueless sidekicks Lethal and Bizzle (Alice Luke and Steph Colman).

But will Hercules achieve his aim and prove himself a hero to return to the home of the Gods, Mount Olympus?

Ian Jones brings the Dame to life in impressively outrageous fashion with his idiot Son, Zak Siki (Charlie Hughes) adding the comedy alongside their cat Jason (Daisy Holloway and Martha Askew).

Hercules is aided by the three muses (Christina Matravers, Lizzie Harvey and Bonnie Bow-Thompson) throughout all of the action, which is carefully watched over by his loving parents, Zeus and Hera (Pete Watts and Mandy Hutchings).

In pantomime tradition, the story is interspersed with fabulous songs, featuring energetic and ambitious choreography and an amazing musical score.

Tickets are selling fast for ‘Hercules’, which runs between next Wednesday (January 24) and Sunday, January 28. They are available from Odette’s Tearoom, 27 High Street, Wellington, www.ticketsource/wellingtonarts centre or phone 01823 240063.