DIRECTOR Allison Hunt is very excited about having the opportunity to stage Sandy Wilson's musical The Boy Friend next month – a venture she has had in mind for some time.

Having worked with the youth section of Belper Stage Productions for some years now, Allison is confident that her youngsters are ripe for the challenge of portraying a group of teenage pupils at Madam Dubonnet's School for Young Ladies in the 1920s.

"There are a number of 15 and 16-year-olds in the group who I am confident will do a great job filling these roles, and they don't feel daunted by having to act alongside members from the adult section of Belper Stage Productions," enthused Allison.

"It will be a combined production, the adult and youth sections – something I've had in mind for a while.

"The Boy Friend is actually very close to my heart.

"It has always been one of my favourite musicals but I've felt it really needs to be staged with young actors in the roles of the teenage pupils. It was a case of waiting until I had just the right cast."

Belper Stage Productions has a policy of encouraging anyone to join the group, regardless of their natural singing and acting ability.

They do, however, strive for very high standards in their productions and always work tremendously hard to bring out the best from their cast.

"We are a very warm and welcoming group," said Allison.

"We don't require members to carry out an audition to join us and there is a place for everyone here.

"Basically, if you enjoy singing, dancing or acting you are welcome, we will find a role for you, but we do also have many very talented individuals."

Allison, a Canadian drama teacher and very experienced in the theatrical world, will also be on stage, playing the part of head teacher, Madame Dubonnet.

In fact, this will be her third appearance in The Boy Friend, having played the part of one of the schoolgirls while living in Canada, aged 16, and then later, at the age of 22, taking the role of the French maid.

"It is basically a lovely musical; it's happy, upbeat and full of well-loved songs," she said. "It is suitable for the whole family, even quite young children.

"In essence, it is a light-hearted love story with a happy ending."

The setting is the French Riviera. Polly, an English heiress attending Madame Dubonnet's School for young ladies, falls in love with Tony, a delivery boy. There is a number of ongoing complications and misunderstandings before love finally finds a way.

The cast features more than 30 members of the group, including a six-year-old, and 1920s dancing, choreographed by Sara Pittham.

Allison is also presently looking for new members to join the Belper Stage Productions Youth group.

Several members are on the verge of graduating to the adult section and actors are needed for the group's forthcoming show Red Riding: Trouble in the Hood.

Anyone interested should call her 07758625372.

WHAT: The Boy Friend

WHERE: Robert Ludlum Theatre, St Benedict School, Duffield Rd, Derby.

WHEN: February 3-4

TICKETS: £8.50, concessions £7

CONTACT: 01332 348611 / 07973348611 or see www.wix.com/belperstageprod/Belper.