THE Mayoress of Hyndburn will be donning robes of a different sort, as she prepares to play a nun in a production of The Sound Of Music.

In a change of habit, Jean Broadley – wife of Mayor Coun John Broadley – and fellow members of the New Era Choir, have joined forces with Accrington Theatre Group (ATG) for their latest musical outing.

Ladies from the Accrington-based choir were approached by ATG to form the nuns’ choir for the classic Rodgers And Hammerstein musical, which will be staged at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre from November 6 to 10.

ATG chairman and show director Howard Raw said: “The last three years, with shows like Boogie Nights and Boogie Nights Two, and Our House, we had moved from having a strong singing ensemble to one more based on dancing. Some of our older lady members had left us, and we were looking to find some new members to help create the beautiful sounds of the nuns’ chorus for The Sound Of Music.

“Working with Hyndburn Leisure, the New Era Choir were put forward as some ladies to approach – and luckily they agreed to get involved.

“After vocal rehearsals with musical director Richard Patel and Sue Moretta, who is playing the Mother Abbess, the choir’s members – the eldest of whom is in her 80s – have developed their vocal skills and confidence and are ready to go on stage.

“It has been lovely to work with the ladies, and we’’re now looking forward to many of them making their ATG debut and hopefully returning to stay with us next year too.”

n The Sound Of Music, Accrington Theatre Group, Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre, Tuesday, November 6 to Saturday, November 10, 7.15pm, plus a 2.15pm Saturday matinee. Tickets cost £14 for adults, £12 for under 16s and OAP, and £45 for a family ticket of two adults and two under 16s.