Audiences flocked to Ramsey to see the first outing of a touring musical last weekend.

The first performances of the four-date tour of ’M is for Manx Cat: The Musical’ took place at St Paul’s Hall, in Ramsey, on Saturday afternoon, with two shows held through the afternoon.

The musical is an imaginative and playful stage version of the children’s ABC book ’M is for Manx Cat’, written and illustrated by Gemma Hjerth and Kim Gee, featuring little titbits of Manx facts and language written around the letters of the alphabet.

The stage play sees the book brought to life through the imagination of two lively children, who are read the book by their grandmother.

Youngsters Alexis Wilson, aged nine, and 10-year-old Isaac Kreisky played the two children, on holiday in the Isle of Man.

In a bid to tire them out, their grandmother, played by Claire Kilgallon reads them ’M is for Manx Cat’ as a bedtime story.

Soon the children’s imagination takes over, and two older, imaginary versions of themselves, played by Isaac Murtagh and Abbie Williams, dance to a score of locally-themed songs and music, including ’Manx Cat’, ’Steam Train’ and ’Manannan’s Cloak’, written by Lin Marsh, from the New Chronicles of Mann, ’The Laxey Wheel’, ’Hello Little People’ and ’The Grackle’, from the contemporary folk group Mec Lir, sung by the Platform theatre school vocal ensemble choir.

The result is a thoroughly charming and entertaining family show which is bound to delight the family.

The show has been created by Lisa Kreisky and Krissy Sutcliffe, from Stage Door Entertainment, who originally produced the show for last year’s Theatrefest.

’Krissy and I are over the moon with how well the show was received last Saturday,’ said Lisa.

’Feedback has been hugely positive and audience members were excited to support a show, built specifically for children, which comes to their neck of the woods, rather than having to travel into Douglas for it.

’They were also amazed by the extraordinary standard of performance from our cast members, especially the younger ones.

’Some even asked when we’d be back.

’Opening in Ramsey has made us even more excited about Laxey, Port Erin and Peel.

’We feel ready for the challenge and are looking forward to seeing this vibrant, colourful, energetic show in all the different places we will visit,’ she added.

’It’s almost as though we are tailor making it for each venue and this makes the performance aspect all the more interesting for cast, production team and audience alike.’

Lisa also praised the stamina and professionalism of the cast.

The next stop for the play is at the Laxey Institute this coming Sunday, January 19, with two shows at 1pm and 3pm.

Tickets are £5, available from eventbrite.co.uk

The show visits the Erin Art Centre, Port Erin, on Sunday, February 2 and the Centenary Centre, Peel on Sunday, March 1, again with two shows at 1pm and 3pm.