Keighley's leading amateur operatic group is breaking with tradition by choosing a rarely seen musical for its autumn production.

Keighley Amateurs members believe Little Me will wow audiences because it will showcase their talents for strong comedy and dancing.

The spoof biography marks a move by the Amateurs away from famous shows like The King and I, Singin' in the Rain and Oklahoma!

They are following the trend of other local groups to take a break from old standbys in favour of unfamiliar but good-quality shows.

Haworth West Lane Baptist Amateurs last year staged Cox and Box, and Bingley groups have taken a chance with State Fair and Utopia Ltd.

Little Me has not been professionally produced in the UK for around two decades and is rarely performed by amateur societies.

It was originally a vehicle for Bruce Forsyth in the early 1960s and later starred Russ Abbot at the height of his TV comedy fame.

Little Me is the fictional biography of a girl "from the wrong side of the tracks" who climbs her way to the top of society with the help of several lovers.

One actor plays all seven of Belle Poitrine's partners in the fast-and-furious show, with several meeting their ends in bizarre circumstances.

Keith Marsden, the producer, said Amateurs members responded enthusiastically when the music and story were presented to them in April.

He said lots of amateur actors from other West Yorkshire societies, including several young people, had also expressed an interest in joining the cast.

Mr Marsden said: "We're playing to our strengths because we've got a strong comedy line-up and a good dance team.

"The show is a mixture -- Chicago meets Singin' in the Rain meets Cabaret, touching on Hollywood, vaudeville and burlesque."

Mr Marsden accepted that Keighley Amateurs would have to push hand to attract good audiences, but said the show would be worth the effort.

He said: "We'll play it for the comedy. We had about 20 musicals on our list and this came first. We're hoping lots of other societies book so they can see what it's about."

Mr Marsden said the show's quality is due to songs and script by leading American writers Cy Coleman and Neil Simon, and dances from Chicago choreographer Bob Fosse.

Tickets will be on sale in the autumn.

n A Zimbabwean dance group is set to entertain fans of live music in Glusburn.

Black Umfolosi 5, members of one of Zimbabwe's favourite acapella and dance group, perform at Glusburn Institute tomorrow at 7.30pm.

The group, who are said to be much loved around the world, will offer the sounds of acapella, gospel singing and dancing, including South African gumboot dancing.

The bare-torsoed, hard-hatted group, may even ask some of the audience to join them on stage.

Tickets are £6 for adults and £4 for children and concessions. Tickets for Umfolosi 5 can be booked on 01535 630223

n Former Eastenders star Leslie Grantham is set to appear in the Jeffrey Archer play Beyond Reasonable Doubt at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford from July 5-9.

Beyond Reasonable Doubt is set in the Old Bailey where distinguished QC Sir David Metcalfe conducts the most important defence of his career -- his own -- as he is accused of murdering his terminally ill wife.

To clear his name, Sir David finds himself in legal combat with his old enemy Anthony Booth QC. Phone 01274 432000 for ticket details.

n Bingley Little Theatre ends its 57th season with a production of the musical play Victor/Victoria.

The comedy is set in depression-era Paris in the 1930s and tells the story of a down and out singer Victoria Grant, who masquerades as Victor -- a female impersonator.

She is hired to sing at a fashionable nightclub and immediately becomes the toast of the town.

The play, which takes place at Bingley Arts Centre from June 27 to July 2, features Keighley performers Tim Lobley, Alison Broadley, Leigh Bowman and Allan Hollings, who regularly appear at Keighley Playhouse. Book on 01274 432000.

n Songs from the shows rub shoulders with sacred music in a Summer Serenade tomorrow at Keighley Shared Church.

Keighley Vocal Union will be joined by mezzosoprano Joyce Tindsley and baritone Neil Baker from 7.30pm. The programme includes pieces by Gluck, Vaughan Williams, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and Mozart.

There will also be early music, The Blue Bird by Stanford, Shenandoah and Kwmbbayah.

Lancashire-born Joyce has performed with Manchester Camerata, English Haydn Orchestra, Goldberg Ensemble and the BBC's Philharmonic Orchestra.

Neil, from Keighley, has won several top music prizes and regular performs operatic and oratorio roles. The Vocal Union members will sing pieces from her recent tour of Belgium.Tickets cost £8 (£6 concessions) by phoning 01274 561579.

n Shaun Dennis was trained by a Western Mystery School three decades ago and now tours the country as a medium. He presents a Night of Clairvoyance at Victoria Hall, Keighley, on Thursday 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 from 0845 331 2608.

n Sutton Amateurs members Philip Smith and Neil Hellewell are among the cast of a classic Oscar Wilde comedy.

Skipton Little Theatre presents The Importance of Being Ernest on Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm in its venue next to Tesco's.

Phillip, from Utley, and Steeton man Neil appear in the witty tale of mistaken identities, sandwiches and a mislaid handbag. Book on 01756 791552.

n More men are needed if Skipton Amateurs are to be able to stage the musical South Pacific this October. Men who look between 17 and 40 years old can join the chorus or audition for a principal part. Everyone is welcome to join chorus rehearsals each Tuesday at 7.30pm at Trinity Methodist Church, Skipton.