A COMMUNITY theatre group based in Kendal is rehearsing for their first show since the pandemic began.

Next week will see the Kendal Gilbert and Sullivan Society host its first performance since the start of the pandemic.

The group will be performing a rendition of 'Trail by Jury' at St. George's Church, Kendal on Saturday, December 4 at 7:30pm.

This performance will be followed by by a concert of excerpts from 'The Pirates of Penzance' which the group intends to perform in full in March 2022 at Kendal Town Hall and The Victoria Theatre, Grange-over-sands.

The plot of 'Trail by Jury' follows a breach-of-promise action brought by the Plaintiff against the Defendant played by Rachael Lewis and George Jones respectively.

The part of the Learned Judge will be sung by Graham Beevers, all under the musical directorship of John Perrin.

In 2021, the group were ready to perform both shows but due to Covid restrictions they had to cancel and decided that when they were allowed to perform again that they would do both shows separately inline with Government guidance.

On the effect Covid has had on rehearsals Chairman, John Reid said: "We didn't have any rehearsals at all during lockdown until the road map was issued and we only started rehearsing this show in October.

"People are glad to get back singing."

John said that the group is 'all set' for next weeks performance, saying "It has been a long road to get there, we have had a couple of people in lead roles who have gone down with Covid and are not going to be returning to us for this concert.

"Generally the chorus and everyone else is fine, we have had some good rehearsals, it has gone pretty well."

People are still able to purchase tickets for the performance are still available to buy online through the trybooking website, tickets are £8 and will be available to buy on the night.

All the proceedings from the show will go back into the theatre group allowing them to pay for the performance and fund future shows.