ENCORE Youth Theatre are to return to the Theatre Royal Winchester stage with Oklahoma - nearly 30 years after they last performed the show.

Original cast member Gavin Williams, who played Jud Fry, returned to Hampshire to give tips to 18-year-old Harry, who plays the same character in 2017.

The 47-year-old, who now lives in Swindon and is currently writing his first play, remembers the original production very fondly.

He said: "Everything was going well until we got to the orchestra rehearsal and then I lost my voice. I could barely speak, let alone sing. This was the Sunday and the first night was Wednesday. By the time we got to the performance I could speak my lines but still couldn't sing (I think it was nerves) so I had to mouth the lines to my two songs and the Musical Director sang them for me. By the last night I was determined to sing the part as well and managed to get through it....

"I always look back at my time with fond memories and Facebook has allowed me to keep in touch with several other members of the cast, many who were in Oklahoma. This was the show we won our first NODA award for."

Set in America’s Western Indian Territory just after the turn-of-the-20th-Century, the spirited rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys provides the dramatic backdrop for the love story between Curly, a charming cowboy, and Laurey, a feisty farm girl.

The sparkling score includes Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’, Kansas City, I’m Just a Girl Who Can’t Say No and People Will Say We’re in Love as well as the show-stopping title song, Oklahoma.

The iconic musical runs until Saturday.

Tickets: 01962 840440 or visit theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk