Isle of Man actors perform 'most Manx pantomime yet' at Gaiety Theatre

• Video report by Isle of Man reporter Joshua Stokes

Performers in the Isle of Man say this year's Christmas pantomime is 'the most Manx yet', as island talent take to the stage across the festive period.

The annual show gives local performers a golden opportunity to perform on stage, while also attracting professionals to the island.

This year will see an Isle of Man version of the classic 'Dick Whittington' story.

The story was written by Jolyon Dixon, who also stars as the pantomime dame 'Sarah the Cook'.

He was inspired to write a Manx pantomime after performing on the Isle of Man for last year's Christmas panto.

Jolyon said: "We had it written by March and then we did rewrites and rewrites and then when we get local talent and they've got ideas and its just a collaboration it's really good."

Millie Christian and Amy Convery take on two of the leading roles as 'Dick Whittington' and 'Alice Fitzwarren', and both have travelled back to the island to perform.

Amy said: "We've both performed on this stage since we were like four year's old, so to come back and actually do it professionally is amazing and obviously it's such a gorgeous gorgeous theatre."

Millie said: "We've gone away and trained, but it's nice to give back to a Manx audience. They like the jokes they can relate to so that's nice that we've added a lot of that into it".

• Producer Steve Palfreman

'Dick Whittington' runs at the Gaiety Theatre in Douglas until Tuesday, 31st January.