COURTROOM drama takes on a whole new meaning in Bolton later this year when the magistrates court provides the perfect stage for . . . an opera!

The wood panelled Courtroom Number One will set the scene for Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial By Jury

A yet to be assembled Bolton Festival Opera group will be taking the stand and about 100 members of the public are expected to witness the performance and judge the quality for themselves.

The ambitious plans mark a dramatic first in the town and permission has been granted by Peter Dawson, clerk to the magistrates.

It is the brainchild of artistic director, Paul Payton. He said: "I know that the Covent Garden Festival does the same thing in Bow Street Magistrates every year and it struck me that we could give it a go here in Bolton."

The performance in the court room will provide the grand finale to a double bill.

The first half of the evening will take place in the Festival Hall with a performance of Mozart's Bastien and Bastienna. After the interval the audience will go across the road to the court to watch Trial By Jury. The audience will watch from within the courtroom, and the public gallery above.

The common theme of the unusual double bill of one act operas, is the evergreen and highly amusing "trial and tribulations of love and marriage".

Paul added: "The acoustics should provide a good sound and the whole thing will be a lot of fun.

"We are trying to put together a group of about 30 singers who will be accompanied by a smaller group of musicians.

"We will be auditioning and aim to cast the net as wide as possible.

"Peter Dawson is extremely keen with the idea because the opera reflects the nature of the courtroom. We couldn't ask for better or more authentic props. The opera could even be educational as well because many people attending will probably never have even been into a court room before."

Bolton Festival boss, Denis Priestly, described the idea as "terrific".

The production will run for two nights and is expected to be a sell out. It is hoped that Bolton Festival Opera will add an extra ingredient to the range of music performed during the Festival and make opera accessible to a wider public at a very reasonable cost.

It will also provide a platform for local talent. In line with the objectives of the Festival, the company for Bolton Festival Opera will be brought together from a wide catchment area of talent. Anyone interested in auditioning for Trial by Jury should telephone Sheila Tonge on 01257 267262. The Bolton Festival will run from August 22 to 31.

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