MANY families think their daughters are little princesses so there was no shortage of volunteers when an amateur operatic society wanted a whole palace full of them.

Next week’s production of The King And I at the Lawrence Batley Theatre will feature 20 princes and princesses, all from local schools.

“We auditioned and all the children are aged between about four and 11, ”said Mrs Jennifer Roberts, of Lindley Amateur Operatic Society, the company whose third production of this much loved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical gets underway on Tuesday February 9.

“We are delighted to have them,” said Jennifer. “Some of them will have done some music at school I’m sure but for many of them, this could be the first time that they have been on a big stage like the one at the LBT.”

“They are doing really well. The procession of princes and princesses is wonderful. There will be a few damp eyes in the house.”

Surprisingly, the one thing the society has had a bit of a tussle with is getting the children to speak up.

“It’s amazing. When they are playing around they are as chatty and noisy as anything but when you want them to make themselves heard they are as quiet as mice.”

Teenager Thomas Graham is a comparatively old hand at stage shows. He is 13, goes to Salendine Nook High School and has played at the LBT before in Witches and in The Seven Supermen. He’s also been in schools shows and when he was three, had a small TV role.

Alongside him on stage is fellow Salendine Nook pupil Bradley Hall who is 12 and making his stage debut. Big night for him then.

And there’s plenty of stage experience in the line-up of other principals which features Colin Harris as The King of Siam and Helen Woodhead as Mrs Anna, the English governess who arrives to teach his children and ends up helping him democratise his country.

This Fifties musical, made into an unforgettable film with Yul Bryner and Deborah Kerr, continues to charm audiences with songs such as I Whistle A Happy Tune, Getting to Know You, Hello, Young Lovers and of course, Shall We Dance?

Colin, who has played everything from Barnum to Boogie Nights which he appeared in with Huddersfield Amateur Operatic Society last autumn, is not just a nifty song and dance man but is an experienced actor too.

Helen, who stars as Anna, is back with her home society of Lindley and loving it. She’s played some real heart-stoppers with the society from Nancy in Oliver to Eliza in my Fair Lady and there’s no betting who will be having a ball and winning over audiences all next week.

Scott Armstrong, a former professional dancer now making headlines in musicals in the town, is back at the LBT after a busy autumn playing leads with other societies.

He’s worked alongside Colin before as has Jane Birdsall whose lovely voice is always worth listening out for and who is with Lindley as Lady Thiang.

Stalwarts Fred Shaw and Billy Walker play Captain Orton and Sir Edward Ramsay. Christine Shoesmith, who teaches baby ballet in Halifax, returns to play Tuptim alongside Chris Sleigh, who last year survived the dangers of the demon barber Sweeney Todd, is back in this show as Lun Tha.

Gil Wade directs, the choreographer is Lynn Clarkson and the society has a new musical director in Peter Drinkle.

Evening performances are at 7.15pm and there is a Saturday matinee at 2.15pm. Tickets on 01484 430528.