Take a sprinkling of Cinderella, a pinch of Rapunzel, a little dash of Red Riding Hood decorated with a delicious Goldilocks and you've got the perfect ingredients for a Fairtytale Stew.

That's what's boiling over at The Point in Eastleigh as the award-winning Eastleigh Borough Youth theatre prepare to premiere this show.

The play includes a mixture of music and comedy, and stars the most flamboyant characters from fable and fairytale.

It was written by local education officer Martin Anderson, who works for Workwell Productions - a company set up about five years ago, with the aim of making theatre, especially Shakespeare, accessible to children.

This time it is fairytales rather than the Bard who get a makeover as the story follows the humorous exploits of downtrodden servant, Ducatsnatch and the Dread Witch Queen, whose penchant for mystical evilness and revenge causes mayhem and hilarious consequences for the eccentric inhabitants of Fairytale Land.

Fairytale Stew was inspired by Martin's teaching work with young children.

While training as a drama teacher Martin discovered that fairytale characters could be used as instantly recognizable examples, while teaching acting methods such as character development.

Martin Anderson, who is also directing the show, says he has been highly impressed with the dedication of the young cast, who range in age from eight to 18 years-old.

He says. "They are extremely focused and remember ideas and movements I've taught them the week previous but forgotten myself!"

The production has also benefitted from the goodness of local fairy godmothers such as KT System, who teamed up with MSR Builders Merchants Ltd to provide all the material for Eastleigh Borough Youth Theatre's set.

KT Systems even cut the wood to size ready for painting by set designer Justine Bartle.

The Point, Eastleigh from December 9 to Saturday December 11, 7.30pm plus a 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Tickets: £7/£5.50 concessions. Box office: 023 8065 2333.