STARTING out from a family chat, one of East Lancashire’s youngest theatre companies is celebrating its first decade on stage.

Pepperpot Hill Theatre Company returns to Darwen Library Theatre tomorrow with classic Broadway fable Guys And Dolls.

The society was formed in 2002, by Lisa Tierney, her sister Angela Phillips and mother Anne Ingham.

Company manager Lisa said: “We were talking about how great it would be if we were to set up our own musical theatre company in our home town of Darwen.

“As youngsters, we had all been involved in theatre for many years, but it seemed that once we crossed the threshold into adulthood there was something of a void; no such organisation existed.

“And so it began: We rounded up our friends, family members and in fact anybody who expressed even the slightest interest, and embarked on our first major production Calamity Jane.

“The show was a sell out and received acclaim from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) including 10 nominations for awards at the North West area awards – with Angela winning the best artistic director category.”

Musicals have included Anything Goes, Little Shop Of Horrors and Sweeney Todd, as well as plays The Importance Of Being Earnest and Fawlty Towers and the Beltin’ Out Broadway revues. Lisa added: “Our group continues to evolve, with some old faces making way for new. One thing which never changes however is the group’s dedication and commitment.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to be company manager of Pepperpot Hill for the past 10 years.

“Packed with musical masterpieces such as Luck Be A Lady and Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat, our 10th anniversary production of Guys And Dolls is sure to be an unforgettable evening of musical theatre at its best.”

Femi Afolabi Nylander plays gambler Sky Masterson, Hayley Cheetham is ‘mission doll’ Sarah Brown, Andy Tierney is crapshooter Nathan Detroit and Angie Phillips is his long-suffering, flu-ridden fiancee and Hot Box dancer Miss Adelaide.

  • Guys And Dolls, Darwen Library Theatre, tomorrow until Saturday, 7.30pm. Tickets £10, concessions £7 from 01254 706006.