Last week 59 Keighley children aged between 4 and 16 performed for the first time on the keighley Playhouse stage. This was a first for keighley Playhouse in conjunction with Laura Judge of DoubleTake theatre.

All week the young people had been rehearsing under the direction of Laura, to give an all singing, all dancing performance of the musical Grease. Rehearsals had taken place at Keighley Rugby Union Club Monday to Wednesday, and then the company moved into the Playhouse on the Thursday to perform. Laura said "This was a first for Double Take, each year we do a summer school "show in a week" in August. We usually perform on the dance floor of the rugby club, but this year I wanted to give the children the opportunity of performing on a real stage. I can't thank my friends at keighley Playhouse enough for allowing us to give them that valuable experience. The children were beyond excited"

During the morning, well loved Keighley actor Peter Whitley popped in to give one or two comedy tips to the boys and Playhouse regular Debbie Ellison ensured the smooth running of the day. Playhouse President Joan Whitley and her husband Geoff Whitley were on hand throughout the day to assist, and to welcome the Double Take cast to the theatre, Joan remarked "it was just delightful to see our theatre hosting all those lovely children. It all ran like clockwork and was such fun! I think it's the first time Keighley Playhouse stage has ever had 59 children appearing, they were all brilliant and the show was wonderful! This is the future"

As the set for "If I were you" was already up on stage the children had to be rearranged and some scenes adapted to fit the kitchen/lounge/bedroom room sets on stage. Luckily it worked brilliantly, and with a few tweaks on the day, the monochrome design enhanced the feeling of being in Rydell High. Parent Jane Senior added "how they achieve so much in just four days is amazing. Laura and her team work miracles!"

Laura's son Bradley Judge, a professional actor, has just finished a 12month contract playing Sonny in Grease working for Royal Caribbean on The Independence of the Seas. He is at present appearing in the musical Pippin at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester.