A SUCCESSFUL North-East theatre company has no worries about dwindling membership as the number of auditionees for its latest intake could have tripled its size.

Darlington Operatic Society, who performed a sell-out production of Grease at Darlington Civic Theatre last month, recently held new member auditions where performers were able to showcase their talents.

Society chairman Julian Cound said that the group has seen a steady increase in members over the last few years and in the last six months it received 50 applications from people wishing to join.

Mr Cound said: “With the sheer number of applications we recently received we could have created another two theatre companies - proving that interest in the performing arts in Darlington is very much alive and thriving.

“A majority of applications come from people who have been to see our shows and think to themselves "I want to be up there doing that".

"It is nerve-wracking to have to audition but it's also a great confidence boosting experience."

Following the latest intake of new members, the society is already receiving applications for the next new member event to be held in November.

The next DarlingtonOS show is Sister Act which runs at Darlington Civic Theatre from Wednesday, October 22 to November 1.

Tickets are on sale now from 01325-244659 or book online through the website darlingtonos.org.uk