FAMILIES are being asked to dig out their glad rags and trilbies for a trip to the 1950s as students stage the classic musical comedy Guys and Dolls.

A cast of 50 pupils from The King’s Academy, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, are perfecting their lines and tuning their voices for opening night on Tuesday, March 19.

Among the cast is previously undiscovered singing and acting talent, Connor Foster, who plays Nicely-Nicely Johnson alongside Anton Blackburn as Nathan Detroit and Alex Connolly-Marsh as Sky Masterson. Sergeant Sarah Brown is being played by Faye Hilton and Kirsty Gosnay will play Miss Adelaide.

Director June Walker said: “We take our annual production very seriously with a proper set, costumes and by bringing in professional musicians because we feel the students deserve it. They work very hard and make a big commitment to be involved.

“The boys in particular have a lot of choreography this time and they’ve realised that performances like this are not for wimps.”

For the first time a family ticket for two adults and two children is being offered, with prizes for the best 1950s outfits during the four-night run.

Guys and Dolls is at The King’s Academy from March 19-22 starting at 7.15pm, with a signer for hearing impaired guests on March 19. Tickets are £6 for adults, £4 for concessions and £18 for a family ticket, available from the academy reception or by calling 01642-577577.