THE cream of local amateur groups are appearing on Stratford's famous stages, packing out the houses for the autumn visitors' season.

The Pirates of Penzance by the Stratford Gilbert and Sullivan Society continues at The Swan Theatre until Saturday and then next week it makes way for one of the most popular of stage musicals - Oklahoma!

The Rogers and Hammerstein classic tells a love story against a backdrop of cornfields and cattle ranches with showstoppers like Oh What a Beautiful Morning, People Will Say We're In Love and Oklahoma!

The Stratford Theatre Group, produced by Wilson Roberts is presenting the new production for the occasion and Guy Pardo has come out of retirement to take on the job of musical director.

He said he was glad to come back to working on stage, despite his plans to take time out for study. He said: "I had decided it was time to take my music seriously and signed up for an Open University course which I expected to take up all my spare time. But when Wilson mentioned Oklahoma!, I didn't need much persuading."

Top performers from all over the area have been brought together for the show. James Davidson Brash from Leamington is playing Curly and Cate Mellor from Tamworth is playing Laurie. Tony Fitzgerald and Sharon Tozer from Solihull are playing Will Parker and Ado Annie.

Okalhoma! Runs from Tuesday to Saturday at The Swan Theatre in Stratford. Box office: 01789 403492.