MEMBERS of the Consett, Blackhill and Shotley Bridge Amateur Players are thanking their lucky stars at the choice of their latest production which is staged at the Consett Empire next week.

The Players had a major stroke of luck when they were granted the rights to play Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate just days before a New York company decided to take the show to London's West End where it is a smash hit once again.

"We just got really lucky," said cast member Lindsay MacPhail. "We're overjoyed as you can imagine and we've got great tunes like Brush Up Your Shakespeare and Too Damn Hot to perform. It should be a belter."

Kiss Me Kate will be showing from Monday to Saturday, April 27. To book call the Empire on (01207) 218171.