REHEARSALS are well under way for the Astwood Bank Operatic Society's next production, Franz Lehar's The Merry Widow, at the Palace Theatre from March 22-26.

The show will be the last major production at the Palace before it shuts down for a major overhaul and marks the Lehar operetta's centenary celebrations.

With this in mind, the society is keen for other organisations and local firms which are celebrating 100 years of association with Redditch to get in touch and representatives are urged to call chairman Stephen Goddard on 894437.

The show itself, produced by Kay Parish, with Norma Kift as musical director, stars Mandy Goddard in the title role.

The operetta, an amusing tale of a widow worth £20 million and the men falling over themselves for her hand, also features Janna Mutton, Kevin Hirons and Joe George.

Mr Goddard said: "The show is brim full of wonderful melodies, waltzes and chorus numbers with the famous song, Vilia.

"Rehearsals are going well, with an emphasis on dance practice, chorus work, solo numbers and costumes, which are going to be a dream."

He added: "We would like to thank Redditch Arts Council for its donation of £500 towards the cost of staging this challenging operetta."

Tickets for the production are on sale now (£9.50, £9 concessions) on 893816.