A TALE “as old as time” is being performed in Malton next week.

Ryedale Youth Theatre (RYT), in association with Kirkham Henry Performing Arts will be showcasing their talents in a production of Beauty and the Beast from April 19 to 22 at the Milton Rooms.

The show is directed and choreographed by Angela Kirkham and her newly-appointed assistant director Chloe Shipley.

RYT chairman Barbara Wood said: “Our wardrobe mistress faced a huge challenge with the creation of the costumes for the production, including of course a wardrobe, and has once again spent relentless hours at her sewing machine. The results are simply stunning and we cannot wait to present them to our audiences. The central theme that we should treat everyone in a decent way regardless of their appearance and judge them on their character and by their actions, rather than their skin, is as relevant today as ever.

“Beauty and the Beast’s appeal lies both in the power of the story’s message and the method of its telling and, however good a film may be, nothing is ever quite as magical, in every sense of the word, as a stage performance before a live audience.”

Beauty and The Beast at the Milton Rooms, Malton, from Wednesday, April 19 to Saturday, April 22. Evening shows start at 7.15pm on Thursday, Friday and and Saturday, with matinee performances at 2pm. Tickets are priced £14 for adults and £12 for child/concessions, and are available from Number One Health & Beauty, Malton, phone 01653 600149.