NORMAL service will be resumed when the Ministry of Entertainment returns to Dorset.

Starting on Sunday, the Ministry is bringing its songs and comic theatre from the Cold War era to the county.

It’s 1962 and Kennedy and Khruschev are about to collide over Cuba, but the real trouble is brewing thousands of miles away, deep below the surface of Bristol.

In a top-secret location Skippy Catford, the ninny in the pinnie cheerily mops away 20 years’ worth of dust and grime from the BBC’s emergency wartime studio.

She hums the latest Brenda Lee while daydreaming about Stanton Drew, everybody’s favourite velvet-voiced radio celebrity.

When the Cold War suddenly heats up, Stanton and Skippy find themselves trapped underground with nothing but a pair of coconut shells and a swanee whistle to keep themselves amused.

A whole bag of spanners drops into the world of ‘Auntie’, and ‘Listen With Mother’ will never be the same again. The Ministry of Entertainment has been touring continuously to theatres and village halls up and down the country ever since it was first formed 15 years ago, by four ex Bristol Old Vic company members.

Well-known for previous Artsreach tours with Doodlebugs and Bogeymen, Yes We Have No Bananas, Mrs Gerrish’s Guesthouse and Goodbye Mrs Chips, The Ministry of Entertainment returns to the county for a seven-date tour this autumn.

The Ministry of Entertainment is at Durweston village hall on Sunday, October 26 from 7.30pm. Call 01258 453170 for tickets.

It is then at Tarrant Gunville village hall on Friday, November 7 from 7.30pm. Call 01258 830361 for tickets.

Next, it’s at West Lulworth village hall on Saturday, November 8 from 7.30pm.

Call 01929 400790. On Sunday, November 9 at 7.30pm, the show goes to Piddletrenthide Memorial Hall. Call 01300 348247.

On Friday, November 14 it’s at Powerstock Hut from 7.30pm.

Call 01308 485264. On Saturday, November 15 from 7.30pm, the Ministry is at Sandford Orcas village hall.

Call 01963 220208. On Sunday, November 16 at 7.30pm the show makes its final stop at Langton Matravers village hall.

Call 01929 423834.