AROUND two thousand people came to see Worcester Musical Theatre Company’s recent show “Walking on Sunshine” at the Swan Theatre.

And guide dogs almost stole the show, as it turned out.

A spokesman said: "The 45 onstage singers and dancers were joined at various times by 60 children from Claines and Wilden C of E Primary Schools, 24 dancers from Harlequin Stage School, and during the curtain calls eight Golden Retrievers from the Guide Dogs charity.

"Since Guide Dogs raised nearly £4,000 during the week, this enabled us to name a new guide dog, and after suggestions from the company and the audience the name chosen was “Sunny”, for a black Labrador."

And the group's fund-raising efforts will continue.

The spokesman added: "The cast have now been eagerly awaiting news about the new show, and at a Meet the Show Night next week the new show “Razzle Dazzle” will be unveiled.

"The charity for this year will be the Motor Neurone Disease Association, reflecting the fact that the lives of several members of the cast and company have been touched by the disease. Nearly a quarter of the tickets for the new show have already been reserved."

Show producer Val Knight said “Work on the new show started the day after the curtain came down on the old one, and the show has now been designed and all of the music recorded.

"At Meet the Show Night a song from each of the eight sections will be sung, and some of the choreography will be practised. Auditions are on April 3, and rehearsals begin on April 24. We welcome potential new members of the cast to come along next week and see what it is all about.

WMTC’s “Meet the Show Night” is at Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Club on Monday March 13 at 7.30 pm.

And WMTC’s new show “Razzle Dazzle ” will be at the Swan Theatre Worcester from Tuesday October 31 to Saturday, November 4, with a matinee on Saturday.

Tickets on 01905 354063.