Port St Mary's annual Cabaret Party starts tonight, with the first of three performances at Scoill Phurt Le Moirrey.

The popular show, which started out in 1977 as 'the Port St Mary Children's Concert Party', is still going strong, with seventy childen in the cast and many original cast members at the helm as organisers.

 In 1990, the adult helpers of the Children’s Concert Party decided they would like to have a go and began by performing in their summer musical variety show.

This they continued each summer until 1994, when they doubled their performance time each year by adding a pantomime. The first, Snow White, was written and performed by the founding members of Port St. Mary Cabaret Party.

Although the group only performs shows twice yearly, they are always busy with other events, including Castletown Carnival, Port Erin Regatta, Port St. Mary Carnival and 'fishing in the past' at the Queenie Festival. They also pay after-show visits to Southlands in Port Erin to sing for their members and perform Christmas songs.

Each year, Port St. Mary Cabaret Party has chosen a charity or association to which to donate the proceeds of their shows and, over the years, has donated a substantial amount to many Manx charities.

On this occasion, Sunday's special Charity Night Performance will raise money for the Isle of Man Children's Centre's Child Contact Centre.

Port St Mary Cabaret Party at Scoill Phurt Le Moirrey

Friday 10th July at 7.30pm

Saturday 11th July at 7.30pm

Sunday 12th July at 6.30pm - Special  Charity Night Performance (includes buffet supper)

Tickets for the Friday and Saturday shows are £5 for adults and £2.50 for children, and available from Port St Mary Golf Pavillion or by calling Cynthia on (07624) 473276.

Tickets for Sunday's Charity Performance are £10 and available from Sarah - call (07624) 424735.

Pictured: Cabaret cast members tread the boards in a costume rehearsal.