FORGET the Yellow Brick Road, a Newport pantomime has replaced it with the city's Mendalgief Road.

Because the Wizard of Oz has been transported into the Wizard of Pill by a city rugby club for their annual Christmas panto.

The 2004 production by Pill Harriers follows 2002's Alan of Maesglazareth and Pillty Towers.

Writer, director and actor Mark Everson, 33, is a player for Pill Harriers and is the man behind their adult popular pantomime.

He said: "It's based around the Wizard of Oz story and I've changed it around with quite a local theme to it. There are lots of jokes concerning people from the clubs and about areas of Newport.

"I write it - well, I plagiarise it from the text - and it's taken me ages. I started in about April and finished it in late August.

"I try to think of stuff all the time and as we rehearse the cast throw in their ideas.

"I'm painting the scenery myself with a friend. It's a scene of Pill which is kind of a make-believe version with magical touches but the Transporter Bridge is still there.

"The Yellow Brick Road we've changed to the Mendalgief Road. I'm playing a few different parts - Toto, the gatekeeper of Pill and one that I'm trying to keep secret as a surprise on the night. The main reason for doing this is the fun factor. And the show makes people laugh, and we do raise a lot of money for the club which helps us keep going."

The annual shows have proved so popular that it will now be performed on two nights, on December 10 and 11 - and the second show is already sold out.

Alan Mills, aged 39, of Rhiwderin, plays the cowardly lion. He said: "Mark is amazing, absolutely amazing, and the script is unbelievable. We've not stopped laughing in the rehearsals. He's a complete genius and the audience will cry laughing.

"But we do need help - we're desperate for headset microphones. They're very expensive to hire so if there's anyone who can help, we'd love to hear from them."

If you can help, call Pill Harriers on 01633 662668.