THERE'S no business like showbusiness, as the song from Annie Get Your Gun goes, but like all businesses, money lies at the heart of things.

Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Youth Society's production is costing the amateur company around £12,000 to stage, which means the group must sell 92 per cent of the seats at its six performances to break even.

WODYS hire the sets and many of the costumes. Many more costumes have to be run up by wardrobe mistress Christina Humphries and her helpers.

An orchestra under musical director Peter Smith has to be paid union rates.

Props must be bought or made by a willing band of volunteers working under Sue Love.

A programme has to be designed and printed and Worcester's Swan Theatre booked.

So the 70-strong WODYS cast are determined that Annie Get Your Gun will be up to their usual high standard.

The future of the group depends on it.

"Each year I feel we produce shows that would be difficult to better, and each year the youngsters seem to pull it off," said director David Humphries.

"And this year, I'm sure, will be no exception to this."

The story revolves around Annie Oakley, an illiterate hillbilly with a knack for marksmanship.

Persuaded to join Buffalo Bill's travelling Wild West Show, she soon falls hopelessly in love with Frank Butler, the show's featured shooting ace.

But when Annie eclipses Frank as the show's main attraction, she realises she'll have to make some hard choices if she wants to win the man she loves.

The show is full of Irving Berlin's most enchanting music including Anything You Can Do, You Can't Get a Man with a Gun, I've Got the Sun in the Morning, and There's No Business Like Show Business.

Like all the other amateur groups WODYS share in the relief that the Swan Theatre has re-opened.

"As many other groups have experienced, we have come through a very difficult year with the closure of this theatre looming," said Mr Humphries.

"Fortunately, sense has prevailed and WODYS, hopefully, has a reasonably secure short-term future.

"This theatre has proven to be ideal for the youngsters to perform in and its loss, and the lack of a similar venue would seriously threaten WODYS' existence."

And it's a good thing for the future of theatre, because WODYS has acted as a springboard to a theatrical future for many members.

Former Worcester Sixth Form College Performing Arts student Chris Love, aged 18, who plays the male lead this year, has recently won a three-year scholarship to the prestigious Bird College of Dance and Theatre Performance, in Sidcup, Kent.

His sister Katie, aged 16, a dancer and member of the chorus, has also been offered a scholarship at Bird College to undertake a three-year Diploma.

A former pupil of The Chase, Malvern, Chris joined WODYS at the age of 14 and last year took the role of Daddy Warbucks in Annie. Both he and his sister, from Rushwick, near Worcester, want to sing, dance and act on the West End stage.

Meghan Hill, aged 16, from Perdiswell, who plays the lead as Annie, was recently in an audition for Pop Stars, Annie Get Your Gun is her fourth show with WODYS.

The show opens at the Swan Theatre on Tuesday, July 29, and the evening performances run until Saturday, August 2. There will also be a matinee on the final day.

For tickets contact the Huntingdon Hall box office on 01905 611427.