OPERA Babe Rebecca Knight will be making a return visit to one of her childhood haunts when she appears in The Pirates of Penzance at the Malvern Theatres.

"I've always lived in London until last week, but I really like being in the country," she said.

"When I was a kid my gran used to live on Bringsty Common. It was a lovely place."

Having found fame and success as part of the Opera Babes, with Karen England, Rebecca will play the female lead, Mabel, in Gilbert and Sullivan's hugely successful operetta.

She was introduced to the Carl Rosa project by her mother Gillian, who is also part of the production.

"I really wanted to do it because my mum's in it as well and we don't often get the chance to work together. I never thought my schedule would allow it," she said.

Pirates will be the first solo stage production Rebecca has done in a long time but it is a challenge she relishes.

"It's actually fun because Karen and I were working separately before Opera Babes. It's nice occasionally to do your own thing.

"Most of the things we have been doing have been in duet form, never getting to sing stuff on your own. That can do your head in after a while."

The return to the theatrical stage is also a return to Rebecca's roots. She trained as an actor and dancer before becoming a singer.

"I have missed acting. It's lovely to play a character rather than yourself."

While Rebecca may wish it, it seems unlikely that audiences will see her acting talents again for some time.

"I'd love to do more stage stuff," she enthused, "But our schedule is pretty heavy until 2005!"

The Pirates of Penzance is the second of two Gilbert and Sullivan productions at Malvern Theatres, following HMS Pinafore, which runs from Tuesday. Pirates runs from Monday to Thursday, July 28-31, although Rebecca Knight will appear only on the Thursday.

Tickets start at £14, available from the box office on 01684 892277.