TALENT swept the boards at a Sunningdale amateur dramatics society's latest auditions for its summertime performance of the Pirates of Penzance.

The Spotlights Musical Theatre Group has selected its leading lady as well other main roles.

Serena Kay, the group's music director said: "We were simply bowled over by the abilities of the local auditionees with the result that all the principal parts in the show will be played by people who live in, or nearby to, Sunningdale, Chavey Down, Ascot and Sunninghill.

"We have a Pirate King and a Mabel, our leading lady, from Sunningdale, a Pirate Kings 2nd in command, Samuel, from Sunninghill and a Sergeant of Police and apprentice Pirate, Frederic, from Ascot and Chavey Down to name but a few", she added.

Emma Pritchard, from Sunningdale, will play Mabel the young girl, who falls in love with Frederic the newly qualified pirate.

She has had leading roles in The Mikado, Salad Days, Kismet, Blitz and her personal favourite My Fair Lady, playing Eliza Doolittle.

Serena said: "We are so pleased to have Emma as our leading lady.

"People are going to be bowled over by the level of the musical and dramatic talent that she and her colleagues bring to the Pirates of Penzance when Spotlights perform it this coming summer."

The group will stage the show at the Rose Theatre at St Mary's School in Ascot on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 21-23 at 7.30pm.

There will be a matinee performance on Saturday July 23 at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost £15 (£10 for the matinee) and can be booked on 01344 205651 or by post at 50 Kingsley Ave, Camberley GU15 2NB, or online at www.spotlightsmtg@co.uk