AN AUDIENCE enjoying an amateur operatic production got some extra drama when they had to be evacuated from the building ten minutes before the first half of the show was completed.

About 160 people were watching Spennymoor Operatic Society's latest production, Annie Get Your Gun, in Spennymoor Town Hall, when pyrotechnics set off the fire alarms.

Cast, crew and audience had to leave the building and wait outside before firefighters gave the all-clear to go back inside.

Publicity officer for the society, Malcolm Cooper, said that the interruption delayed the end of the play by half-an-hour, but everyone remained in good spirits.

He said: "We were using pyrotechnics to set off explosions on the stage and they set off the electronic fire alarm in the town hall.

"Apart from finishing half- an-hour later, it did not affect anything. I think it just added to the excitement.''

The show will take place again tonight at the Town Hall and people can pay at the door.

Tickets are £5.50 for adults and £4 for concessions.

A further two shows take place tomorrow and Saturday, at 7pm. Again, tickets will be available at the door.

Tickets cost £6.50 for adults and £5 for concessions.