PROTEUS presents, for one season only, an unashamed homage to that great theatrical tradition... the panto.

Throw four outrageous pantomime dames on stage together, give them a mission to entertain, using almost every panto convention and routine ever invented, then stand back and watch the mayhem unfold!

Four Dames in Search of a Panto is an irresistible cocktail of gags, songs and men in frocks - seasonal silliness for the whole family.

Behind the scenes at Proteus, preparations for the tour are well under way. The show has been cast and the four actors (pictured) - all new to Proteus - will be back later this month to start working on its development alongside director Mark Helyar and local writer James Barry.

James explains: "We're going to use the development week to explore all the elements that make a good pantomime - the stories, routines and gags - then decide which ones to include in our show.

"Actually, I think the idea is to cram in as many as possible!

"Our aim is to give the audience all the fun of a great, family panto, while also showing them where all these characters and traditions came from. In act two they'll even get the chance to help the cast make up their very own pantomime story.

"Once the development week is over, it'll be my job to pull all the ideas together into a script, in time for when the rehearsals start in November."

James has penned four of the company's previous winter shows - The Extraordinary Tale of Colonel Cody, 3 Musketeers!, Sherlock's Excellent Adventure! and The Lost Voyage of Sinbad (1999).

Last year, James also worked with the company and the people of Basingstoke on the Basingstoke Mysteries, the community play held in and around the grounds of Grange Barn.

Four Dames in Search of a Panto opens at Central Studio on November 24 at 7pm. To book, log on to www.centralstudio.co.uk or call the box office on 01256 418318.

The production will tour many community and theatre venues during November, December and next January.

The show is suitable for family audiences, aged seven upwards.

If you represent a village hall, community centre or school, and are interested in making a booking for this or a future show - a handful of dates in the Four Dames tour schedule are available - call 01256 354541 or e-mail info@proteustheatre.com