Players grin and bare it

As its saucy title may suggest, the talented cast of Bilston Operatic Society will be hiding little more than their blushes when the curtain rises on their latest spectacular in Wolverhampton tonight.

A sea of basques and stockings will transform the Grand Theatre Stage for the company's production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

More than 50 performers are raring to wow audiences following six months of rehearsals, which cast members said had "broken down barriers" between them.

Originally made famous in a movie version by Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton, the show tells the true story of The Chicken Ranch, a Texas brothel which flourished until 1973 when it was closed down by crusading television reporter Marvin Zindler.

Producer and choreographer Denise Robinson today insisted the show is all in good taste. "It's as risque as you want to make it," she said. "I have seen versions of it which were quite horrible but this is not distasteful at all.

It is more focused on the company's younger members and the girls are quite scantily-clad. Even the men have to strip in one part. But it's actually quite a sad story.

"The show hasn't been performed by an amateur group in this area for years so it is great to do something different and everybody has been up for it and has loved it."

Mother-of-three Maggie Parry, of Cheslyn Hay, has had no problems pulling on a cleavage-enhancing blood-red basque and white- blonde wig for her role as Chicken Ranch proprietor Miss Mona.

And she said her husband Chris was ready to cheer her on from the audience. "He can't wait to see it. He's told me to really enjoy myself," said the 39-year-old.

"I had wanted to play this part for a long time and it came along at the right time. The whole process and the rehearsals have just been absolutely fabulous. It has been so much fun.

"We have broken down barriers with the cast but we all have the same respect for each other. We can't wait for the show to start tonight."

The show runs at 7.30pm nightly until Saturday, including 2.30pm matinees tomorrow and Saturday. Tickets cost £4 to £16.50 and are available from the box office on 01902 429212.