THE Wizard of Oz is coming to Culcheth when the village's drama group performs one of their favourite stories.

Sue Rogers is an administrator from Cinnamon Brow but in January she will be transformed into the Wicked Witch of the West.

The 38-year-old said she is both nervous and excited.

She added: "This will be the first play for me where I have audience interaction. It’s really exciting but at the same time it's a bit scary as kids will heckle."

Culcheth Players will be presenting The Wizard of Oz at Culcheth Sports and Social Club in Charnock Road from January 22 to 24.

But Sue said to expect a few twists for the panto version written by Emma Houldershaw and Samantha Cartwright

She said: "The original story doesn’t have Auntie Em or the farmhand, Harry Trotter, in it – they're trying to catch Dorothy."

Sweets will also be handed out to the audience and there is a special programme for kids, with colouring in, dot to dot puzzles and treats.

The cast of Culcheth Players will be joined by dancers from the Rosemary Powell Dance School in Culcheth.

Sue said the show could not go on without the help of volunteers who create the costumes, design the sets, manage the lighting and work backstage.

She added: "We scour charity shops and I got my costume from eBay with a couple of little tweaks to it to make it suitable for the show."

Nerves are to be expected but there has also been the odd mishap during performances.

Sue vividly remembers falling over backwards on stage during a performance of the comedy Last Panto in Little Grimley.

She said: "On that occasion the play was about a small drama group trying to put on a panto and everything goes wrong.

"There is someone on crutches and someone who dresses up as a horse running around. There were so many people falling around the stage that the audience didn’t notice!"

After the performances in January, Culcheth Players will be asking for suggestions for the play or show they would like to see next.

In the last few years, the group has performed comedies, murder mysteries and dramas.

They aim to put on three shows a year, with recent favourites being The Snow Queen, Jack and the Beanstalk, Billy Liar, Little Women and Murdered to Death.

But Sue said the group has struggled after losing a number of cast members and behind-the-scenes volunteers.

She added: "We would always welcome anyone who wanted to come and be part of the group, if they are interested in the lighting, the set design, costumes, acting or makeup."

And once a production has finished, Culcheth Players begin rehearsing for the next show almost immediately.

"It’s continuous," said Sue.

"Just that one week off after a show. Even if we don’t have three shows in the year we still meet up almost every week. It’s extra time to rehearse."

One of the challenges members face is funding and it is not just money for the costumes and stage.

The script can also be expensive because the group must get permission from the publishing company for every show.

Sue added: "The cheapest script that we have had from a publishing house was £67 but they can go up to £125 – and that’s per performance."

The group is not-for-profit and Sue said the ticket charge goes straight back into the next production.

The Wizard of Oz will be on at Culcheth Sports and Social Club from January 22 to 24.

Tickets are £5. For more information or to reserve a seat visit culchethplayers.co.uk. The children's activity programme is £1.50.

CHLOE LAVERSUCH