WEYMOUTH has gone panto potty as Pirates of the Pavilion once again pops up in the town.

Running on intermittent days until August 29, the summer pantomime joins the motley crew aboard the Saucy Sally as they set out on a brand-new adventure to clean up the oceans.

Writer and director Lee Redwood said this year’s production had all the big laughs and jolly japes of previous years but this was the first time they had added an educational angle.

Teaming up with Weymouth’s Sea Life Adventure Park, the show takes an environmental twist focusing on the prevalence of littering in the ocean.

Back for their fourth year, the swashbuckling adventure is now completing its first week at the Weymouth Pavilion.

Lee said: “It’s going so well. It’s the best version of Pirates we have done and so far, it has all run smoothly and there’s been no hiccups. Everyone is loving the show but the best is yet to come!”

Lee returns as Weymouth’s favourite pantomime dame, this year taking on a new role as the glitzy and big-haired Demonia the evil sea witch, who is trying to take over the ocean.

Joining Lee in the cast are Pirate veterans, Weymouth’s own Charlotte Allen as plucky Buccaneer Becky and Robert Squire, who returns for his third year as the bumbling Captain Filibuster.

Teegan Jones is bringing a bit of glamour to her Pirates of the Pavilion debut as the magical Spirit of the Seas while seasoned panto-performer Liam Mellor joins with his side-splitting comedy antics as hilarious, Seadog Billy.

Lee said: “It’s great to have Liam onboard. We’re having so much fun in rehearsals. All we’ve done is laugh.”

But the real showstopper has proved to be the underwater bubble jet pack, said Lee.

“Last night the jet pack came forward over the audience. I was offstage and I could hear the gasps from the front row. I was incredible,” he said.

The spectacular scenery and special effects, including the infamous jet pack, have been created by Wareham-based company, The Twins FX.

Weymouth locals are sure to recognise places mentioned in the show and suffer some jokes at their expense.

“The whole thing is written especially for Weymouth. It opens on St Thomas Street and local places appear through the show. Of the people involved in the show, from actors to choreographers, 90 per cent are from Weymouth and Dorset,” said Lee.

The panto's dancers are from 13 local dance schools with a different school performing in each show and an impressive 280 dancers appearing across the summer.

But Lee has confidence the show is only getting bigger and better with each performance through the summer.

“There are things creeping into the script all the time, bits we discover people find funny between Liam and I,” he said.

“Each show is different. It's just going to grow and grow.

*Pirates of the Pavilion is showing at Weymouth Pavilion every Monday and Tuesday until August 29.

For more details and to book tickets contact Weymouth Pavilion box office.