BLACKBURN Cathedral is preparing to host its first theatrical work in more than 25 years.

In the early 1990s, the cathedral theatre group used to stage regular performances in the crypt.

Now, in time for Christmas, the newly-formed Blackburn Cathedral Community Theatre Group, are hard at work rehearsing for a special version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

The production will be based on a script written by Blackburn Drama Club 10 years ago which was adapted by Paul Mason.

Paul, the driving force behind the new theatre group, has now updated that script for a new audience.

“The plays in the cathedral used to be so well received,” said Paul. “It just struck me that it would be worth looking at bringing something like that back and we have had great support from the new dean, Peter Howell-Jones.

“We started planning this back in March and started to cast the production back in June by placing a notice in the cathedral newsletter and contacting theatre groups around East Lancashire. We had a really good response which has led to a good mix of people becoming involved.”

The production will be staged in the South Transept in the main body of the cathedral.

The cathedral’s director of music Sam Hudson and Gill Fourie, who runs the cathedral’s music outreach project are also involved and the production will be directed by Paul and Katie Wlodarcyk.

“Scrooge will be played by John Orgill, a member of Blackburn Drama Club who won the best actor award at the recent Noda Awards,” said Paul.

“We go from some very experienced performers to others for whom this production will be their first time on stage.

“There will also be live music as part of the production

“The society has joined Noda and we hope that A Christmas Carol will be the first of many productions we will stage in the cathedral.

“The adaptation I did was very well received when it was performed at Hoghton Tower 10 years ago and I think that the setting of the cathedral will bring an extra dimension to proceedings, particularly at Christmas.

“We’d just like as many people as possible to come along and enjoy the show. I don’t want to give too much away but there may be a little audience participation for them to get involved in too.”

A Christmas Carol, Blackburn Cathedral, Friday, December 14 to Sunday, December 16. Tickets priced £10 (concessions £5) from 07971 881576 or online from www.blackburncathedral.com