6:34pm Sunday 5th September 2010
TWO Bishop Auckland theatre groups have teamed up to recreate a Broadway musical.
The Stagecoach Theatre Arts School and the Bishop Auckland Operatic Society have spent several months producing an adaptation of Annie, which they will perform next month.
Two dogs, Amber and Pepsi, also feature in the production.
A spokeswoman for Stagecoach said: "It is the first time the two groups have worked together and the hope is that it can bring together people from communities all over County Durham.
"This production has children from the locality not only learning their lines but also training with the dogs.
"It is very rare for a stage production to have live animals performing and this has been a challenge for the team."
Vivien Slack, from the operatic society, who is directing the show, added: "The experience so far has been fantastic.
"I always say never work with children or animals, but now I would say never work, just enjoy.
"It has been fabulous working in this group and we hope that working with Stagecoach will show just what we can do together."
The production takes place at the Shildon Civic Hall from Monday, October 18 to Saturday, October 23.
All performances start at 7.15pm, with an extra matinee show on Saturday, October 23, at 2pm Tickets cost £8 for adults on Monday and Tuesday, and £8.50 from Wednesday to Saturday, or £5 for under 14s for all shows.
To book, call 01388-604285.
Meanwhile, Stagecoach has spaces for two more children this term. For information, call 01388-664066.
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