Sidmouth Arts Club Operatic Society are offering a tantalising treat for Easter week when a star-studded cast are presenting Thoroughly Modern Millie, at the Manor Pavilion Theatre, from Saturday April 11 to Saturday April 18, and when I attended a recent rehearsal, I was thrilled to see an abundance of home-grown talent with a strong, youthful element helping to create a vibrant show.

West hill conductor and lecturer Peter Clarke, a former conductor of Sidmouth Choral Society, and well-known in the operatic field, is shortly to run a choral day for ladies choirs at St Paul’s Church, Honiton. He will be joined by his wife Joyce, who is a professional pianist. Although organised by Devon Federation of Women’s Institutes, members of choirs who are not WI members are also very welcome.

THE great Gittisham Pantomime is back!

The curtain goes up on Friday, March 27, at 7.30pm, with a matinee on the Saturday, March 28, and the second evening and final performance (which is already nearly sold out) at 7.30pm.

THE SKY’S the limit when it comes to choosing themes for Sidmouth’s celebrated Triple Fantasy dance shows, and the 2009 extravaganza is inspired by the Sun, Moon and Stars.

Finishing touches are being applied by the cast of Time of My Life by Alan Ayckbourn, which is being presented by SADS, at the Manor Pavilion, from March 17 to 21.