A pet pooch will be ‘pawing’ the boards when he takes to the stage for a role in Shrewsbury Amateur Operatic Society’s last performance at the Music Hall.
Benji, the 18-month-old bichon-frise cross with a King Charles spaniel, belongs to the grandson of society honorary life member Joy Newman and has been specially selected for the part of Cheeky in Cole Porter’s Anything Goes.
Mrs Newman, from Bayston Hill, has been a member of the SAOS for more than 40 years and although she no longer appears on stage, is still heavily involved with the group to the point that she attends rehearsals, but this time with six-year-old Myles’ pet dog Benji.
“Angela Davis, the producer, asked me if they could borrow Benji because they needed a little dog for the show. He’s been to a few rehearsals and was really good.
“I’ve been trying to ensure that he will behave on the stage. Who knows what might happen on the night!”
She added: “When I told Myles that Benji was in the show he got quite upset as he wasn’t in it himself.”
Benji will accompany his character’s owner aboard the liner American for the 1930’s musical which is on at the Music Hall on October 14 to18. Tickets are available from the box office on 01743 281281.
l Scene & Heard – pages 80, 81.