IT would seem logical that after scooping a best show award for his last production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Worcester director Paul Milton would use his winning formula again.

But the professional actor and choreographer says his next production of the play which won five awards, including best show and best director, when he directed it for the Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society (WODS) in 1990 will be something a bit different.

He said next week's WODS production at the city's Swan Theatre was more of a social experiment.

Audiences are being invited to dress up in jeans and cowboy boots and take part in line dancing before and during the play.

Although our last production won awards, if we ran it in the same format now it would seem very dated, he said.

Because it's 11 years on we wanted to do the play in a different way this time. Therefore it's very audience-orientated this time and we aim to make the audience part of the play.

With great songs, great choreography and loads of laughs, audiences will be in for a treat and really get into the mood by joining in. It's going to be very lively but it is not a play for children as there are a lot of the group wearing suspenders and very little clothing."

The former King's School pupil, a tutor and director at the Birmingham School of Speech, has worked across the UK as director and professional actor but says he still enjoys working with WODS.

Since returning to Worcester in 1990, Paul has worked with The Swan Theatre advising on choreography for a number of plays including The Century Plays and The Father Brown Mystery.

I don't have time to work with amateur groups but I do find the time to work with WODS, he said.

I feel they're a very strong group and enjoy working with them.

To buy tickets for the play, which runs between Tuesday, May 2, and Saturday, May 12, contact the theatre's box office on 01905 27322.