THERE was a time when people experienced mixed feelings about reaching the age of 50. Not so long ago, many of us who had attained the mythical milestone half-century might feel elation that we had survived work and children despite the odds, yet at the same time, wonder whether it would be all downhill from now on.

Happily, two-score-and-ten no longer necessarily means stouter corsets, a certain brand of tonic wine, and a milk-based nightcap to be taken no later than 10pm. For like emerging dragonfly nymphs, more and more of us are discarding our old coats and donning new ones, to spread new-found wings in the heat of a fresh dawn. So - step forward Jane Wootton, amateur actress, full-time worker and mother-of-three. We are talking about you, of course. Jane is learning how to lap-dance for her latest role in an Alan Ayckbourn play to be staged at the Swan Theatre this month. In order to to do this with authenticity, she is being put throught her paces by a Worcester dance school.

This newspaper awaits her dirty dancing debut with much anticipation. The gyrations and contortions her character demand will be observed with great interest by her husband and three sons, who will undoubtedly be attending on the opening night. Our advice for the budding thespian is simple. Jane, we are convinced that you will bring the house down - and who knows, may even cause the odd pulse to quicken. Whatever happens, be confident in the knowledge that life does indeed start at 50.