LOCAL opera singer Maria Jagusz returns to Cirencester’s Bingham Hall, directing a full scale musical production with 50 talented youngsters from the local area and beyond, writes Russell Blackaller.

Maria (MJ-UK) has produced many excellent shows there, including West Side Story and Les Miserables.

The quality of MJ-UK’s productions ensures that the audiences are henuinely entertained whilst the next generation of professionals gain invaluable experience.

This year MJ-UK are working in conjunction with Cirencester’s new theatre school, StageSmart, which is headed by Iwan Lewis, a West End performer himself.

Stagesmart has been dealing with the production side of the show, giving Maria more time to direct and work her magic on the performers.

This collaboration has also enabled MJ-UK to be even more ambitious and venture into new work, The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Michael Webborn and Daniel Finn.

I managed to see the first production of this show at The Landor Theatre in London and was bowled over with the complexity of the music, so well done to Maria and Iwan for not taking the easy route, for supporting new writing and for being bold.

If you have seen a previous MJ-UK production you will know what I have been talking about.

If you haven’t, treat yourself to a very precious experience, a quality of musical theatre you will rarely find outside London, and I include professional productions.

You don’t have to be parent to enjoy the show!

Performances take place on August 13-15 at 7.30pm. There will be a matinee on Saturday, August 15, at 2.30pm.

Due to the size of Bingham Hall there may be tickets available on the door.

To ensure you get a seat please go to mj-uk.com and buy online.