KENDAL and District Gilbert and Sullivan Society returns to the stage with a kingly version of a vivid Venetian tale.

Blessed with marvellous melodies, pretty maids and noble gondolieri, The Gondoliers runs from Wednesday-Saturday, April 6-9, at Kendal Town Hall, with choreography courtesy of highly regarded, all-singing, all-dancing, Susan Scott-Stephenson, and picking the baton up once more is respected musical director, John Perrin.

Again, the KADGASS cast has a talented line-up that includes Rebecca Chandler, Stella Coxon, Martin Hepworth, Vivienne Rafferty, George Jones, Niall Collingwood, Anna Kaye, Emilie Beston and Ian Loi and Catherine Perrin as the Duke and Duchess of Plaza Toro.

Since its premiere in 1889, The Gondoliers has charmed and entertained audiences with its memorable score by Arthur Sullivan, and its political satire, cleverly tucked into WS Gilbert’s witty plotline, which tells of two gondoliers, Marco and Giuseppe, who decide to solve the problem of choosing a bride by allowing themselves to be blindfolded, marry Gianetta and Tessa, but are informed that one of them is really the King of Barataria.

Wearing the producer's hat this year is Matthew Armstrong - by day, Clapham Primary School head teacher, by night, a successful savoyard, who has previously directed Gilbert and Sullivan: "When people think of Gilbert and Sullivan they usually think of Pirates or The Mikado, and The Gondoliers sits under these in popularity," explains Matthew. "The thing about The Gondoliers is that it's extremely colourful and joyful - after rehearsals you leave feeling very happy."

Matthew first started performing with KADGASS four years ago when it staged Yeoman of the Guard: "I have always performed and started singing Gilbert and Sullivan when I was 16 at school. I have been performing these and other shows around the country for about 20 years now and every year I tell myself I'm taking too much on and I should take a break but the music pulls me back each time."

Matthew plays Marco: "Marco and his brother have a very close relationship but he's the sort of guy who would let his brother - who is more opinionated - do all the talking and make the decisions. I guess you would say he goes with the flow. Marco has the famous song Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes, which people seem to adore. There's an enormous expectation around this song and the pressure is always on to get it right. Marco has some beautiful tenor lines in the music and is a true tenor part - it's challenging musically but I love a challenge."

With 38 children in the school, Matthew teaches two days a week as well as take the lead as head teacher. He said music is very important to the school: "We have a school orchestra led by Alex Phillips and most of the children play a musical instrument too. Obviously with a demanding job like mine and rehearsing two days a week at KADGASS is gruelling - but I wouldn't want it any other way."

Performances start at 7.30pm.

Tickets for The Gondoliers are available from Kendal Picture Framers, Branthwaite Brow, or on 01539-722109.