ABOUT to celebrate a major landmark in its history is the Hagley Theatre Group with the staging of its 200th production.

And they'll mark this achievement with a production of Annie on October 13, 14 and 15 at the village's Community Centre (7.30pm).

The theatre group began just after the Second World War, in 1946, when the Girl's Training Corps was asked to stage a play. The GTC was a war-time organisation giving girls training in map reading, and aircraft recognition before entering the Forces. Further plays were staged and a club was formed called the Let's Do A Play Club.

Early productions were at the Free Church School, then the old church hall, before a change of name to the Hagley Theatre Group in order to update its image and show its wider range of activities.

Tickets for the show are £7 (£5 concessions and are available from Corrine Fox 01562 632484 or Felicity Rudge 01562 882233, or Hagley shops - The Spar, Philip C Paddock Butchers and the Co-op Pharmacy. There is a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm at reduced prices.

The group is keen for new members to join and enjoy all aspects of live theatre from acting to behind the scenes work.