Kennet Valley Amateur Dramatic Society has gone multi-cultural as it prepares to stage Wiltshire’s first trilingual pantomime.

The society’s production of Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves is written and produced by John Bartle and features Arabic, Welsh and English.

It is set in old Baghdad so Mr Bartle sought help from his work colleague Bashar Al Gailani, who is originally from the Iraqi capital, while writing the script.

Mr Bartle said: “He has advised me on suitable Arab names for the characters and on Arab terms and phrases.

“The inn is called The Crooked Camel and he’s written the name so that is in Arabic too.

“He’s coming to see the show and he’s never seen a pantomime before so I’ve had to explain to him that the main female part is played by a man and the main man’s role is played by a girl.”

Mr Bartle is taking on the role of the pantomime dame Mafanwy from Tonypandy who tries to get the bus to Aberdovey but gets lost and ends up in Abu Dhabi.

He said: “I originally come from Wales so I’ve included Welsh locations and some Welsh words.”

He has been involved in all of Kennet Valley’s pantomimes since the group was revived three years ago.

This year it will be using a new radio mic system paid for with a grant from the Marlborough Area Board of just under £1,000.

Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves will be performed at Kennet Valley Hall on Friday at 7.30pm and Saturday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Saturday night is sold out but other tickets are available on 01672 861373 or 01672 861423.