A SMALL army of theatre company stalwarts have come together to dress Pendle Hippodrome’s next play.

The theatre company is producing the stage version of 1980s’ classic sitcom Hi De Hi at the New Market Street, Colne, venue.

Wardrobe mistress Liz O’Connell thought that decking out the cast in the synonymous Maplin’s holiday camp uniform of white shorts and yellow coats would be simple.

“But Liz had landed herself with a real headache,” said Hippodrome spokeswoman Milly Greenwood.

“After trying all the big department stores and shops she eventually resorted to the internet but there was not a yellow coat to be found, well not at an affordable price.

"How can you put on Hi De Hi without yellow coats?”

Luckily, company member and stalwart Shirley Kenyon offered to make all 11 jackets, and got a team of company members together to trim the coats and white shorts with blue braid – for the authentic Maplin’s look.

Hi De Hi has been directed by Wendy Ranwell, making her debut in this role, with Jackie Edington as mad-cap chalet maid Peggy, who sees this season as her last chance to become a yellow coat, and Catherine Cox as chief yellow coat Gladys.

The play features all the favourite characters from the TV series, comedian Ted Bovis and his sidekick spike (Steve Royle and Paul Thompson), Maplin’s ballroom dancers Yvonne and Barry (Rosemary Osbourne and Peter Hampson), and entertainments manager Geoffrey Fairbrother (James Bateman).

* Hi De Hi, Pendle Hippodrome Theatre Company, Pendle Hippodrome, New Market Street, Colne, from Wednesday, June 15 to Saturday, June 18. 7.30 pm. Tickets £6 from www.phtheatre.co.uk.