IT'S very much a town affair for this year's pantomime offering from the Launceston Amateur Dramatic Society (LADS) — Dick Whittington and His Cat.

The start of the panto — with a high tempo performance that sets the vibe for the rest of the evening with many contemporary numbers young and old alike will want to join in — is set against the backdrop of 'Old Launceston Town' and scriptwriter Nigel Crabb has made sure to include many references that will draw laughter from those audience members native to the town as well as those from further afield.

Much of the laughter is created by the Dame, Sarah the Cook (Chris Theobald), who goes through some very interesting costume changes, together with the lazy yet downtrodden Idle Jack (Emma Willmott).

It is to Old Launceston that Dick Whittington (Jo Taskis) has travelled with Puss (Kelsey Milne and Sefi Oak) from Ashwater with high hopes of seeking his fortune, for he has heard that the streets of Launceston are 'paved with gold' – although Dick's first impressions are 'the streets aren't even paved, let alone with gold. Must be all the cuts'.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.