Do you think pantomime's are just for kids? Well, think again!

A new local theatre group is promising to bring a new slant on the county's pantomime scene.

The Glastonbury And Street Pottymouth Squad (GASPS) says its adult pantomimes will push the boundaries and be one step beyond the smutty humour of the beloved Carry On movies.

The newly launched group is planning to tour its adult pantos at various locations across the county, with all proceeds from ticket sales being donated to the Glastonbury and Street Musical Comedy Society (GSMCS) to secure the future of amateur musical theatre in mid-Somerset.

The idea to launch the new group was formed by members of GSMCS who realised that the possibility of staging a family panto in Street or Glastonbury was looking less likely, while also recognising they needed to think outside the box to raise funds for their annual musicals.

For the group's debut adult panto, it will be performing Sinders at seven Somerset village and performance halls, between January 19 and 28, under the direction of theatre stalwart Brian Epps, who has been treading the boards for 60 years. The cast will feature a line-up of well-known local faces who have decades of performing under their belts including in many family pantos, and are looking forward to adding some naughtier additions which in the past they have dared not say.

Laura Vernoum, who is producing GASPS' first adult panto, said: "We're really excited to be bringing panto to Somerset – but not a panto like most have come to expect. This will have the smut, rudeness and cheekiness that you simply can't perform in a family show. It will be strictly for adults only; there will be some swearing, there will be mickey-taking, there will be some flesh, and there will be lots of gasps, so if you're a prude, easily offended or take yourself too seriously, our shows won't be for you.

"While our pantos will be for adults, they will still follow a traditional panto story line with all the characters we know and love, but perhaps with some more risqué names and story lines. And we're not going to scrimp and save on the quality of the performance, we still want this to be a fantastic show, just with a naughty twist.

"GASPS has been created by like-minded people who recognise that we simply have to come up with new ideas to raise funds if we want to keep amateur theatre alive in mid-Somerset. Covid has really shown us how vulnerable this sector can be, so there's really no better time to be kicking off our new venture as we're coming out of the pandemic. In fact, you might say this is our very adult middle finger to the pandemic! We all need a good belly laugh after the past two years, and this will be the ideal tonic just at the right time."

The group is just finalising its last couple of venues, but has already signed up: West Pennard, Wedmore, Edington, Edgar (Somerton) and Glastonbury Town Halls. Tickets will go on sale later this year.

For the latest information keep your eyes peeled on the group's website: www.gspottymouth.co.uk, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram: @GSPottyMouths.

If you would like to help or support GASPS, or would like to sponsor their project, contact them via their website: www.gspottymouth.co.uk