THREE young stars will take centre stage when Crowthorne Musical Players (CMP) performs this week.

The group will entertain audiences with its version of hit musical comedy “The Witches of Eastwick” – and 15-year-old Kate Light is taking on the role of Little Girl.

She opens the show and said: “I am excited to be back doing my second show with CMP. I have really enjoyed being part of the group again, and I look forward to doing more shows in the future.” Meanwhile, 18-year-old Rebecca Rogers, is performing for the group for the first time. She will play Jennifer and has previously won gold for Great Britain in the World Choir Olympics in Cincinnati.

Sandhurst resident David Allen, 22, is playing Jennifer’s geeky boyfriend Michael Spofford, appearing in front of the curtain having previous experience as a production manager.

Among the slightly older members of the cast are Laura Hartley, who is playing single mum Alexandra Spofford but has never been in a musical before, let alone cast as a lead.

She said: “I’ve always loved performing and last year I got back into it, putting five plays under my belt.

“I can’t wait for the singing this time around.” The other lead female parts are being played by Catherine Hazell and Sue Prior, who each have vastly different amounts of experience when it comes to performing in musicals.

Catherine, playing stuffy cellist Jane Smart, spent 10 years as a member of a Bracknell variety club, singing, dancing and acting in variety shows and pantomimes, but she has only been a member of an amateur drama group for two years. Sue, playing the bookworm Sukie Rougemont, finishes the trio of witches.

She has a wealth of experience in amateur theatre and joined CMP in 1992, playing such leads as Eliza Doolittle, and Dolly Gallagher in Hello Dolly. She has also won best female performer at the Buxton Gilbert and Sullivan Festival.

The Witches of Eastwick was made famous by the 1987 film starring Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeifer and was subsequently turned into a musical. CMP’s production runs from Tuesday, March 11, to Saturday, March 15, at the Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park, Bracknell. To book tick- ets, call 01344 484123 or visit www.southhillpark.org.uk