AN Oversley Green man has proved making a song and dance about something can pay off after receiving official recognition for an outstanding dramatic feat, writes Helen Clarke.

PendaBede Stally, a student at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and his theatre production company Velvet Jacket Ltd, have achieved a Guinness World Record for the world's fastest theatrical production.

Mr Stally, 25, was born in Alcester Rectory, went to St Faith's School and lives in Oversley Green when not studying at RADA.

While at Edinburgh University, he joined three friends to form the theatre company and built a reputation mainly based on producing unusual theatre.

When he went to RADA, Velvet Jacket Ltd decided to rise to a challenge and create a world record.

The challenge was to create a production which would normally take months in just 24 hours.

The Guinness adjudicators secretly chose a musical, obtained the rights and provided sufficient copies of the score.

The announcement of the choice marked the start of the timing, which would stop when the first note of the overture was played.

The musical Oklahoma was chosen and the production had to be reviewed by a theatre critic and deemed an acceptable standard for the paying public.

Verification was required by three adjudicators and supported by hours of video film and photographic evidence.

The auditions were held, costumes and set made, dances choreographed and lines learnt and the entire production was ready for an audience of 957 people at Edinburgh's Playhouse Theatre in just 23 hours and fifty-five minutes.

Mr Stally said: "The one aspect all the hours of planning, hiring of actors and equipment couldn't predict was the happiness and exhilaration shared by everyone who took part.

"Through little sleep and amazing teamwork, the record was set. There was literally no time for dissent, shaky nerves or temperament. All who took part learnt the meaning of 'The show must go on'.

"The wait for the critics' verdict in the newspapers was rewarded the next day - a rating of three stars and many congratulations.

"Everyone wanted it to succeed. The staff of the Playhouse caught the excitement, box office staff, usherettes, bartenders, cleaners, even the passing public who stared up at the hoardings and read the mysterious invitation to see the fastest show in the world."