A NEW craze has swept the ranks of Lancashire's Mounted Police - treading the boards for a Penwortham Gilbert and Sullivan society.

For more than 30 years, Mounted Policeman Philip Walsh has enjoyed performing, singing and directing the works of Gilbert and Sullivan but, until now, his passion has not been shared by his colleagues.

He is the producer of St Leonard's Gilbert and Sullivan Group and directing the Savoy Opera Utopia Limited which is being performed at St Mary's Church Hall, Cop Lane, Penwortham this week.

The show calls for a large cast, particularly men, and last year when the opera was chosen the group was forced to go on a recruitment drive.

After trying all their former members and finding they were still short, Philip turned to his colleagues for help - and got it in force.

Philip said: "When I got one of my colleagues to join up I was fairly surprised, but when another two joined up it got a bit ridiculous. What's more, now some of the other lads are interested in taking part next year."

Workmate Alan Blundell was the first to answer the call-up saying he has ten plays to his credit and wouldn't mind having a go at opera for a change.

He was swiftly joined by Chris Gornall and David Davies whose only previous singing experience was in the school choir at QEGS in Blackburn.

Their Mountie colleagues can't get over the transformation. "Suddenly while mucking out they will burst into song or quote a line from the show," said one.

Alan has landed a principal role of Calynx, a Utopian Vice-Chairman while Chris plays Tarara the Public Exploder. David is in the Chorus as a Life Guard Trooper.

Tickets are still available for the show this week. Call Fiona on 628787.

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