WITH just over three months to prepare a Chesham amateur dramatics are going against the old adage to never work with children and animals by putting on a production of Annie.

Deciding not to run with the usual pantomime the Chesham Bois Catholic Players are opting for the popular musical which will be at The Elgiva in Chesham towards the middle of January.

Charis Lister, nine, and Madeleine Hockey, 10 will take on the role of Annie on alternate nights playing alongside a dog called Buster who is a cross between a Bichon Frise and a Shih Tzu. He will be taking on the role of Sandy. A Jack Russell called Pixie will also be making a fleeting appearance.

Director David Martin said: "It has been a bit of a tight schedule but we made it. The amount of time available to us to prepare for the show, which had to be following the players' previous show, was just over three months. In this time we had to prepare a full blown musical."

There is a cast of 46 and of course, two dogs. Martin said Buster has been responding very well in rehearsals, particularly as it is his first time on-stage.

He said Annie is extremely suitable for the players as there are quite a few girls in the younger section. There are two teams of orphans, who perform at different shows, led by Charis and Madeleine.

David said: "Annie is a very big part for a youngster. They are on the stage most of the show with a number of songs. It is quite a meaty part. They are loving it and doing it really well."

Annie has been performed around the world for decades and tells the story of optimistic orphan Annie and her adventures from Miss Hannigan’s orphanage to the luxurious home of Oliver Warbucks. Set in 1930s New York the show features well-known songs including It’s a Hard Knock Life, Easy Street and Tomorrow.

The 62-year-old from Chesham said: "They [The Chesham Bois Catholic Players] decided to take a break this year from doing their usual pantomime. A musical like Annie seemed to be just the right sort of thing for this time of year."

The role of Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks is filled by Steve Martin, who has been involved in amateur dramatics for over 40 years, acting, singing and backstage work in a number of different countries including Belgium and Singapore. He has recently returned from Switzerland and is now living in Chesham. He was nominated for Best Actor award at FEATS (the Festival of European Anglophone Theatrical Societies) in Geneva for his role as the Clown in “Death of a Clown” - a play which came third last year. His other biggest acting challenges have been as Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing and the title role of Scrooge. Of his current role Steve said this is the first time he has performed in Chesham, his first principal singing role and the first time he has been directed by his older brother, David. David has been involved in the group for more than 20 years and has directed a number of shows before.

He added: "I would just like to say I really enjoyed doing the production. I would like to thank all the people who have been involved in getting it to the stage it is now. It is a big team effort and I would like to thank any one who has been involved in the production."

Annie is at The Elgiva in Chesham from January 18-21 at 7.30pm with Saturday show times at 2.30pm and 6.30pm. Tickets are £14.50 with £12.50 concessions. A family ticket (two adults and two children) is £50. Call 01494 582900 or go to www.elgiva.com