You no longer have to wait until you step into the theatre at the annual Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society pantomime to be transported to a mythical realm.

This year the magic starts outside the building, in what organisers are calling Fairy Tale Land, featuring a host of child friendly games, activities and food vendors.

Organiser Kathy Kawaley said they came up with the idea as a way to draw excitement towards the BMDS Daylesford Theatre, on the corner of Dundonald and Washington Streets in Hamilton.

The mini-fair will be set up in time for the latest pantomime production, Sleeping Beauty, which is running from Thursday to next Saturday, December 14.

Ms Kawaley said: “For the past 20 years the pantomime has been at City Hall, so with the change of location this year it’s important that people know where to go.

“The building has been transformed and when families come in the evening there will be all sorts of fun and creative things for kids to do.

“They will be able to have supper there and that kind of thing and then go in to watch the show.”

She said even those who aren’t planning to see the show can take advantage of the festivities outside.

Organisers still have space for additional vendors and are encouraging others to get involved.

Children’s store Daisy & Mac will be one of the professional vendors selling some of their merchandise, while Four Star Pizza will also be on hand selling pizza, fish, chicken nuggets, french fries and fairy-tale cakes (aka cupcakes) for anyone looking for a quick snack.

Jackson’s School of Dance will also be hosting a dunk tank to raise money, while schools like Mount Saint Agnes and Saltus will be selling popcorn as part of their fundraising projects.

MSA is looking to raise cash for a local charity, while Saltus’ SGY2 class hope to earn cash to help with costs for its prom.

Other highlights include a bouncy castle and visit from Santa Claus which happens each evening around 8pm.

Ms Kawaley said the Fairy Tale Land serves to give youngsters a special treat before they sit down for the show.

“There’s not a lot of things that parents can go to with their children and particularly at this time of year there isn’t much to do,” she explained. “You can take your kids to the movies, if there is a child friendly film showing, but really that’s about it. So this is just a matter of extending the fun and fantasy of the pantomime.

“All children have wonderful imaginations and we are just trying to give them another opportunity to have fun with their imaginations and we as adults are just going along with them for the ride.”

BMDS’ Fairy Tale Land will be starting on Thursday evening and running every night of the show from 5.30pm until 8.30pm.

On weekends the excitement will begin at 12.30pm. To find out how to register as a vendor or for additional details, e-mail bmdsfairytale@gmail.com.

Tickets to the BMDS production are almost sold out, but may be available online at www.bmds.bm.