A FLAGSHIP family show at the Swaledale Festival has been saved at the eleventh hour by a replacement musician after its central pianist had to pull out.

The show, The Boy, the Piano and the Beach, is a magical adventure told through dance, puppetry and light projections accompanied by live music played on a Steinway grand piano.

However, less than two weeks before the planned performance on June 2, the central pianist Ed Liddall has had to pull out due to suffering from tendonitis.

The music requires a pianist of great skill, and there was a distinct possibility that the show would have to be cancelled causing disappointment to a large number of children and family members.

Luckily the company behind the show, Slot Machine Theatre, acted swiftly to find a replacement in experienced concert pianist Steven Neugarten.

Fortunately Mr Neugarten, is familiar with almost all the repertoire and is now rehearsing intensively with the other performers.

The hour-long show will now go ahead as planned at Influence Church in Victoria Road, Richmond at 2pm on Saturday, June, 2.

The production is aimed at children aged five to twelve and their families.

Tickets are £3 for under 25s and £8 for adults.

The Swaledale Festival runs from May 26 to June 9 with a host of musical, theatrical and arts performances taking place across the dale.

Tickets to shows and more information about venues and performances are available from the Swaledale Festival website at swalefest.org or contact 01748-880019 for further details.