A FATHER and son team is helping to keep Grove and Rawdon's next production in the family.

Dad Ian Clarke and son James are taking to the stage for next month's My Fair Lady at Yeadon Town Hall - and to make it a real family affair Ian's wife Christine and his daughter Lauren are also members of the society.

Ian has been involved in amateur theatre for over 15 years and is a committee member of the Grove and Rawdon Theatre Company.

He said that he takes part in the productions as well as producing all the publicity posters and flyers and show programmes.

James, who is 16, has also been regularly involved with amateur theatre since the age of about six when he played the part of 'Little Jake' in 'Annie Get Your Gun' for the former Rawdon Amateur Operatic Society where they were both previously members.

Ian said: "My wife Christine and daughter Lauren are also members of The Grove and Rawdon Theatre Company, in fact the whole family appeared in the last production the society performed which was the very successful 'Chicago Nights'.

"However, Christine and Lauren are giving this next production a miss, leaving just James and myself to "carry the family flag".

"Both James and myself are taking on minor roles in 'My Fair Lady' and are also involved in most of the dance routines.

"Rehearsals are certainly helping to keep me a bit fitter as they are extremely hard work and our Director Royston Bayfield and Choreographer Joanne Marshall are always pushing us to the limit!"

Ian was also on the committee of Rawdon AOS taking on the role of Treasurer before its recent successful merger with Horsforth Grove.

Jane Collins, who also took the lead role in Grove and Rawdon's South Pacific, plays Eliza Doolittle, while Stephen Jamieson from Halifax takes the role of Professor Henry Higgins.

The production team is made up of director Royston Bayfield, who is in charge of his third production for the company.

The Musical Director is Catherine Sweet and the choreographer is Joanne Marshall, who also choreographed Chicago Nights.

l Tickets for My Fair Lady, which runs for a week at Yeadon Town Hall from April 26, are on sale by calling the box office on 07000 446267.