A GILBERT and Sullivan society is hoping its show in Bromyard will re-ignite interest in the genre.

Audience numbers have been dwindling for recent performances by the Worcester Gilbert and Sullivan Society, which attracts members from across the two counties, including Malvern and Ledbury.

"It's not just our numbers but audience figures are slowing down for live theatre all over," said society committee member Christine Davies, who is helping to direct part of the show.

"It seems to go in stages. Sometimes you're doing really well but at the moment I think people are looking forwards more to the modern shows like Oklahoma. It's quite surprising because they don't know what they are missing in Gilbert and Sullivan."

However, the group believes its latest production, Sullivan to Strauss, will entertain crowds. Split into three sections, it opens with a variation on Gilbert and Sullivan, A Little Patience.

This will be follow by a farce entitled A Philanderer, written in the 1990s by Gilbert and Sullivan enthusiasts Fraser Charlton and Bolton Rowe, from Newcastle, and set to music by Sullivan.

"The farce is very amusing," said Mrs Davies. "It's rather like a Brian Rix farce about a chap who's got two women on the go but doesn't know they are step-sisters."

The show concludes with A Party, a selection of Viennese operetta pieces including Die Fledermaus and Orpheus and the Underworld.

"All the sections are in the most colourful costumes," said Mrs Davies. "A lot of the music is very well known and well performed. It's a very well organised show. We've got a different director for each section and we always try to do things to the highest standard possible.

"All in all, it offers really good value for money."

The show is being staged at the Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, from Thursday, June 5, to Saturday, June 7. Performances start at 7.30pm and tickets cost £6 and £5.