Carnon Downs Drama Group's winter pantomime Dracula Goes on Holiday will premiere at Perran-Ar-Worthal Village Hall on January 26 and run for three nights, until Saturday the 28th when there will also be a 2pm matinee.

The word premiere in this instance is apt as audiences will witness the world premiere of an original family pantomime. Carnon Downs is well known as an innovative drama group and it is not the first time that the group has staged new work written by members.

However, Dracula Goes on Holiday is unique in that it is the first piece of writing by Joyce Bassett, who normally is one of the unsung heroes of the group working quietly away in the background either helping with set painting or being responsible for props. Joyce explains how the idea of an original pantomime was created.

"It started out as a collective sharing of ideas at one of our set building days, there were so many ideas thrown around that it seemed a shame not to use them and the only way I could think of was to write a pantomime myself," she said.

The collaborative way of working has been sustained throughout rehearsals. Joyce added: "It has been the best fun ever to work on this pantomime. I have been able to see the words on the page becoming real characters with the cast providing their own input, which means it has really become our very own inclusive panto."

Joyce’s main collaborator has been director Pam Furnish, who said: "Directing a panto is a fantastic experience as it gives you a chance to be a child again, inhabiting a world of magic and because this is an original story there are no real creative boundaries, if we can think it, we can do it."

Joyce added: "It may be my original story but it is still a pantomime with a very British sense of humour, where good battles evil and wins with the help of a supportive and vocal audience."

Tickets can be obtained by calling 03454 500296 or by going to ticketsource.co.uk/cddg.