ONE of Britain's best-loved comedy performers, Nicholas Parsons is taking part in a show being staged at Worcester's Swan Theatre by youngsters of a city amateur dramatics group.

He is to be the newsreader in Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society Youth Section's production of Return to the Forbidden Planet at the theatre from Tuesday, August 3, to Saturday, August 7.

Parsons, whose outstanding career has encompassed everything from serious acting, solo cabaret work, TV and radio, to comedy, farce and pantomime, will appear on video screen several times throughout the musical.

The plot of Return to the Forbidden Planet revolves around the crew of a spaceship, which crash-lands on a mysterious planet where they meet up with the two survivors of a previous mission - an evil doctor and his stunning daughter.

Parsons will be adding an extra touch of humour to the production as he keeps the audience up-to-date on this inter-planetary adventure.

"WODYS is delighted and very grateful to have such a household name as Nicholas Parsons as its newsreader," said the group's chairman and director and producer of the show, David Humphries.

"He is a real professional who, through his work over the years has brought so much pleasure to so many people."

The veteran star, who has just received an OBE from the Queen at a Investiture ceremony in Buckingham Palace, for his services to drama and broadcasting, has ties with Worcester.

His wife, Annie, lived and worked in the city and he met her at a charity quiz in aid of former Worcestershire cricketer

Norman Gifford.

Parsons is a cricket-lover himself and works hard for the Lord's Taverners - who raise money for underprivileged and handicapped children.

He has been actively involved with the Taverners for the past 45 years and was president in 1998 and 1999.

TV viewers will recall him as "straight man" to Arthur Haynes in the late comedian's Independent Television shows of the 60s.

He was also the calm and collected host of ITV's Sale Of The Century, which ran throughout the 70s, as well as host on Radio 4's Just A Minute for more than 36 years.

He works actively in support of a number of children's charities.

"With his sharp wit and sense of fun, Mr Parsons adds so much to the part of Newsreader and our youngsters will no doubt be able to pick up some tips from his acting," said Mr Humphries.

Some 65 youngsters, aged eight to 18, will be taking part in Return to the Forbidden Planet.

The Swan Theatre stage will be transformed into the cockpit of a spaceship and the audience taken on an exciting journey through a feast of sci-fi and rock and roll.

"Tickets are going well and we are hoping for another sell-out show," said Mr Humphries.

For tickets, contact Huntingdon Hall box office, Worcester, on 01905 611427.

Music makers set the mood in Worcester

A BAND of innovative young music makers who had audiences tapping along at last week's Upton's International Jazz Festival will be setting the mood at Huntingdon Hall this Tuesday.

Now in its second year, the Worcestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra is going from strength to strength, with 26 members ranging from 12 to 22 years old on board.

This year, in addition to the legendary Upton extravaganza, they have impressed audiences at the National Festival of Music for Youth with their big band line up of brass, saxes and rhythm sections.

Their repertoire varies from classic Duke Ellington through to Sting and Santana, back to Dizzy Gillespie and Sammy Nestico.

Musicians from Worcester include trumpeter Tom Palmer, a Year 12 music technology student at Worcester Sixth College and saxophonist Katie Hawcutt, a Year 10 student at Bishop Perowne High School.

She recently became one of the youngest musicians to gain a Diploma in Jazz from the London College of Music.

Both will also play at the Pershore Jazz Festival in August with selected members of the WYJO.

For tickets to Tuesday's 7.30pm concert, priced at £6 (concessions £3.50), call 01905 611427.

Meanwhile, competent players of the sax, trumpet, trombone, piano, keyboard, bass guitar, electric guitar, drum/percussion and vocalists who wish to join the WYJO should call Roy Turner on 01905 427293 or Ian Hattersley on 01527 540616.

A playing standard of approximately Grade 6 is required, however exceptions will be made if a player has potential.

WYJO rehearses on Tuesdays, from 7.30pm-9.30pm, at the Royal British Legion Club, Droitwich.