THE cast of an amateur dramatic group met for the first time at the weekend, to start rehearsals for a show to be performed in Durham this month.

Dionysus Theatre Group is getting ready for Fame The Musical by practising at Broom Junior School, in Ferryhill.

More than 300 people aged ten to 25, from all over the North-East, auditioned for a part in the show, which has a cast of 100.

Those successful found out in April, but only got their script and started learning their part over the weekend.

Now, they have ten days to polish their performances and to put on a show in front of a crowd.

Chris Banks, from the theatre group, said: "Part of the ethos at Dionysus is rehearsing it all at the last minute and it has proved very successful in the past.

"We did Fiddler On The Roof last year, so this year we wanted to do something as different as possible."

The show is on at The Gala Theatre, in Durham, from August 22 to 25, tickets cost £14. Call the box office on 0191-332-4041.