Last updated 11:05, Friday, 15 February 2008

LIFE in Whitehaven in the Second World War is the setting for the next show by Whitehaven and District Operatic Society.

When The Lights Go On Again is being staged at Whitehaven Civic Hall from Tuesday, February 26 to Saturday, March 1 at 7.15pm with a matinee on Saturday at 2pm.

It tells the tale of the Parker family – sharing their worries about rationing, air raids and the fact that their elder son was on HMS Highlander when it sank.

The audience will be able to join some local ladies as they queue at Mr Braithwaite’s shop for their groceries and to see what he has ‘under the counter’, as well as meeting folk at the Saturday night dance at the Empress Ballroom.

The local school children give a concert to raise money for the War effort and the ARP wardens are on patrol telling residents to ‘Put that light out!’ The soldiers and nurses at the army base are entertained by their comrades in a camp concert featuring, among others, Lilli Marlene, Carmen Miranda and The Andrews Sisters.

Although their son is still missing, the Parker family do their best to celebrate Christmas 1944 and the show finishes with the VE Day party in 1945.

The musical promises plenty of songs from the era. Including The White Cliffs of Dover, We’ll Meet Again, Run Rabbit, Run, Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia. Telephone the Civic Hall on 01946 514960 for tickets, priced £8 and £6.50 (concessions) with £1 reduction on opening night.