Hello Dolly opening at Aylsham

HELLO Dolly opens at Aylsham High next week, marking a decade of lavish musical productions at the school.Tickets have been selling fast for the latest show, an indication of the reputation for high-class performances that the school has earned over the past 10 years.

HELLO Dolly opens at Aylsham High next week, marking a decade of lavish musical productions at the school.

Tickets have been selling fast for the latest show, an indication of the reputation for high-class performances that the school has earned over the past 10 years.

Hazel Martin, who has directed every school musical, says this is probably their most ambitious to date.

As well as singing, dancing and learning lines, the young performers have to deal with parasols, large hats and high-heeled boots.

And, on top of the acting demands, cast and crew have been battling illness. 'We've had three viruses going round the school and I don't think we've had one rehearsal where everybody's been there!' said Mrs Martin.

Set in turn-of-the-20th-century New York, Hello Dolly stars matchmaking widow Dolly Gallagher Levi (Catherine Batch) who has been asked by wealthy but grumpy Horace Vandergelder (Alexander Salzedo) to find him a wife. Dolly decides that she must be the one to marry him. She is also asked by artist Ambrose Kemper (Jack Bonner) to help him marry Horace's niece Ermengarde (Catherine Bullough), a match which her uncle opposes.

�Hello Dolly runs from March 4-7 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Mrs D. Fields at the school, tel 01263 733270. They cost �7, concessions �5, on Wednesday, Thursday and the 2.30pm Saturday matinee. All seats for other performances are �8.