Many children have had roles in the musical Oliver - but usually they've been born first.

Katrina Knights' unborn baby will play a part in Sutton Amateurs' production of the popular show next month. Chorus member Katrina, 22, of Parkwood Street, Keighley, who will be seven months pregnant on opening night, will appear as an expectant Victorian working-class woman.

Leading lady Alison Waters will sing about her plight as the cast performs the pub number Oom Pah Pah.

And Katrina's bump will leave the audience in no doubt of the meaning of the lines 'she came from the country but now she's up a gum tree'.

Katrina says: "I asked the producer Doreen Smith whether she minded me being in Oliver even though I was pregnant. She said it was alright, then asked if she could use me in the song because my appearance suits the lyrics."

Oliver, which is staged at South Craven School from March 3-6, will be the second show affected by Katrina getting in the family way.

Two years ago she discovered she was pregnant just days after husband David - the Keighley News' entertainment reporter - won a principal role in the musical Oklahoma. She was due to give birth around the time the production was staged - and through every performance David was expecting a call to the labour ward.

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