AUDIENCES are used to seeing a Christmas pantomime - but the Taunton Thespians are bringing something altogether more sinister to The Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton - a whodunit called Pantocrime. 

Impresario Ryman Rowell is preparing a stunning pantomime, Cinderella, before he moves on to direct a brand new reality TV show. 

Little does he suspect that his carefully assembled pantomime cast contains more jealousies, rivalries and raw seething emotion than any television drama could produce. 

Leading lady and diva Stella Campbell-Black is trying to maintain her hold over husband Larry who is attracted to Stella's rival, Rene Legwizzler. 

Stella's dresser, ex-dancer Darcey, learns a secret about her tragic past. Everyone confides in much loved character actress Flossie Hardcastle but even the mild mannered Flossie is driven to desperate measures. 

Even the two ugly sisters and Ryman himself have dark secrets of their own. 

The stage is set for a tangled web of deceit and mystery leading to a gloved hand holding a gun...

The audience is given a window into the backstage world in which characters are revealed and motives established before the dirty deed is done. 

Then, the audience is invited to turn detective to flush out the murderer by means of careful questioning, keen observation, inspired guesses and a community song or two along the way.

Pantocrime is on at The Brewhouse on December 30, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £18 - phone 01823-283244 or click here.