FARNWORTH AODS promise a high octane production of the musical Hit the Deck which will be at the Albert Halls, Bolton, from April 19 to 24. When it was first written in 1927, the show ran for more than a 1,000 performances. It went on to play to packed houses in America and was made into a film in 1929. A later film, Follow the Fleet, was made in the late 1950s and included such well known numbers as Let Yourself Go and There May Be Trouble Ahead.

Amateurs performed Hit the Deck regularly until about 20 years ago when it was put "on the shelf".

Farnworth who assure audiences of "lavish costumes" and "glorious scenery" will stay loyal to the original musical, but have updated the time to the 1950s and will provide it with a "1990s feel".

A large cast is rehearsing for what is described as an "hilarious show". The action takes place on shore, on board ship and in the South China seas.

Other favourite numbers are Sometimes I'm Happy; We Joined the Navy and Hallelujah.

The cast includes Ruth Mauriello in the leading role. Ruth was previously seen with Farnworth as Sally in Me and My Girl and last year as Manon in Bitter Sweet.

Clive Briggs returns to Farnworth as Bill Smith, the love interest. He was Bill Snibson in Me and My Girl.

The principal line-up also includes Doreen Smith and David Moss.

"It's a riot" says the publicity. "It will be just the tonic you need to banish the blues."

Tickets for the show are available from the Ticket Secretary on 01204 527092 or from St Andrews Travel, St Andrews Court, Bolton.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.