Three generations of the same family will share the stage, when the curtain drops for the premiere of an all-time classic.
Jean Blackburn, 67, who lives in Huncoat, will perform alongside her daughter Dawn-Marie Woodcock, and five-year-old granddaughter Isabella in the 50th anniversary production of The Sound of Music, put on by an amateur theatre group.
Isabella, who is a pupil at Peel Park Primary School, has been dancing ballet since she was two and appeared on stage in several pantomime shows. Now she will play Gretl, which is her first singing and speaking role.
Dawn-Marie, 45, said: “She has taken to it like a duck to water. She doesn’t seem to be nervous, she listens and she’s very attentive - and she’s doing what she’s supposed to be doing. I’m very proud of her. She doesn’t need any help from me at the moment because she’s doing everything on her own.”
Dawn-Marie, who plays Baroness Elsa Schrader, started acting in the group four years ago. They have been wanting to put on The Sound of Music for a while and saw the 50th anniversary of the 1965 film starring Julie Andrews and Christoph Plummer as the perfect opportunity.
Seeing there were some roles that fit her mother and daughter, Dawn-Marie was happy to get them involved.
She said: “It’s a beautiful experience. I have to keep my wits about me, watching my mum and my daughter at the same time.”
It will be the first time on stage in 46 years for Jean, who had a few singing roles in her youth. This time, she was not keen to take a speaking role and will appear as a nun.
She said: “I’m just stood there in black and white, looking like a penguin. I think it’s lovely.” The production will run at Bacup Royal Court Theatre from May 7 to May 9 at 7.30pm. Tickets can be bought online at www.brct.co or on 01706 874299.
