Final rehearsals are taking place for Rising Stars’ production of Til the Boys Come Home which will be performed at the Beccles Public Hall next Friday and Saturday.

The award-winning cast of talented eight to 18-year-olds have not had a chance to relax since their highly acclaimed production of Les Misérables - School Edition earlier this year.

Instead, they have been learning the songs, dances and sketches for this new musical show which has been specifically written for Rising Stars.

Their Chairman, Chris Steed explained: “We wanted our summer show this year to recognise the centenary of the outbreak of World War One, but we didn’t want it to be entirely about the war.

“Instead, the show commemorates music, entertainment and events from the turn of the 20th century until the soldiers came home in 1918. There was such a variety of dramatic changes and developments during the Edwardian era and we have featured a lot of them in this production.

“However, we still wanted to remember the fallen soldiers so we have also invited the Royal British Legion to raise money for their funds by running a raffle during both shows.”

Performances start at 7.30pm and tickets are priced at £6 for adults, £5 for OAPs and £4 for under 18s.

They are available from the box office, open Monday to Saturday between 10am and 3pm.

E-tickets can also be ordered online from www.becclespublichall.org.uk

• The Beccles Public Hall group is so thrilled to welcome back popular local DJ, Mark R’n’B Bale, after his very first and highly successful Soul Time night of the year.

The idea stemmed from a Motown evening staged at the Hall last September when the Hall screened the film, Dreamgirls, followed by a night of Northern Soul and Motown numbers.

The night is set for Saturday, July 26, at 8pm.

The Northern Soul scene is making a massive national come-back as many young dancers experience the iconic sound for the first time as well as those who have kept the faith over the years.

“The Public Hall dance floor is a classic oak sprung design which is so fantastic for dancing and particularly good for the soul dancers to glide in true Northern Soul style. So keep the faith with Mark and join us for another magic evening,” said Sue Bergin, events coordinator.

Tickets are £6 for an evening of dancing to the evocative and magnetic soul sounds of the 50s and 60s.

You can buy tickets from the Box Office, open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 3pm or on the door on the night. Bar open all evening!