The Bishopswood Pantomime Players are a group of theatre enthusiasts who volunteer to provide a spring pantomime every two years to entertain the local community and raise much needed funds for the day-to-day operation of Bishopswood Village Hall near Ross-on-Wye.

This merry band of troubadours are made up of local actors, technicians, musicians and engineers who work tirelessly to present a truly professional performance. From building the stage completely from scratch to providing a performing set-up with full lighting-rig, curtains, sound system and sets reminiscent of any West End auditorium, the team ensure that the audience are given a truly magnificent and enjoyable evening of family entertainment.

Drawing on a wide range of life experiences to deliver a highly polished production, this year’s pantomime will be, once again, no exception and continues to build on their 15 year reputation.

Written by renowned pantomime author Ben Crocker, this year’s epic roller-coaster is a fun-filled story of love conquering all against the forces of greed and evil. The timeless Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves is the world renowned and much loved Arabic folk tale added to the One Thousand and One Nights in the 18th century by its French translator Antoine Galland, who heard it from Syrian storyteller Hanna Diyab

The panto tells the story of young Ali Baba who happens upon a group of thieves visiting their treasure store while he is out collecting firewood in the forest. The treasure is in a cave, the mouth of which is opened and sealed by a magic phrase - which he overhears…

This year the popular company is offering you a chance to win FOUR FREE TICKETS to the opening night of the exciting forthcoming pantomime production of Ali Baba & The Forty Thieves!

What is the magic phrase used to OPEN the cave?

Send your answer to: Ali Baba Competition, Tindle Newspapers, 116-118 Monnow Street, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, NP25 3EQ. Please include your address and a daytime telephone number with your entry.

Alternatively you can email your answer to [email protected]

Entries must be received no later than Friday, February 14 and winners will be notified by phone

For those who aren’t lucky enough to win tickets, there are evening shows from Thursday, February 27 to Saturday, March 1 at 7:30pm at Bishopswood Village Hall. There will also be a matinee on March 1 at 2:30pm.

Ticket prices are being held at the same level as previously…so £7 for adults and just £3 for children under 16.

You can order tickets via email for one of these brilliant shows right now at: [email protected]

The ticket telephone hotline is also open via 01600 - 891277.

There is even a bar open before each show and during the interval. So do go along and enjoy some hilarious family entertainment and support a terrific local ensemble of wonderful thespians.