REHEARSALS are in full swing as a Wrexham-based community theatre company prepares to bring a much-loved and iconic musical to the stage.

Theatre company Tip Top Productions are set to stage the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The Sound of Music, this summer.

The show will be directed for Tip Top by Peter Swingler OBE, with musical direction by Wendy Tucker and choreography by Joni Rusling.

Featuring a whole host of cherished songs, including Climb Ev'ry Mountain, My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Sixteen Going on Seventeen and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars.

Chris Sims and Josephine McSollars, who will play Captain Von Trapp and Maria in Tip Top Productions staging of The Sound of Music at Storyhouse.

Chris Sims and Josephine McSollars, who will play Captain Von Trapp and Maria in Tip Top Productions' staging of The Sound of Music at Storyhouse.

The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.

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Director Peter said: "Rehearsals are going exceptionally well with 40-plus cast members working well together. I have been fortunate to amass talent from right across the region and beyond: from Rhos on Sea to Crewe, Nantwich to Neston not forgetting Wrexham, Llangollen and of course Chester.

"Audiences will be enchanted by the two teams of youngsters playing the von Trapp children. Our fantastic cast will feature Josephine McSollars as Maria and Chris Sims as Captain von Trapp."

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In addition to its strong cast, the show's producers are looking to cast up to three male dancers to appear in a waltz during a ballroom scene and anyone who is interested on taking on these roles should contact Peter by email at swinglerp@gmail.com for details.

The Sound of Music follows on from Tip Top's staging of Calendar Girls The Musical at Storyhouse last year and their sell out production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Theatr Clwyd in February this year.

• The Sound of Music is at Storyhouse in Chester from Wednesday, August 2 to Saturday, August 5, at 7.30pm with matinee performances at 2.30pm on Friday, August 4 and Saturday, August 5.

Full details and tickets are available online at www.storyhouse.com