REHEARSALS for Malvern Theatre Players' next production, The Demon Headmaster, will start almost as soon as their current offering, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, closes.

Company director Chris Bassett said 35 children from around the Malvern Hills have been selected to play parts in the musical from around 70 who turned up to auditions in December.

Lee Farley and Andrew Howie will play the parts of the Demon Headmaster and Eddie Hair respectively, with other adults filling more minor roles.

However, parts for the children will not be allocated until the first rehearsal, when ages and sizes can be assessed and compared, on Sunday, December 26. The production will run from Wednesday, April 2 to Saturday, April 5.