Members of Bristol Light Opera Club (BLOC) are hard at work rehearsing for their 75th anniversary show.

The amateur dramatics group will perform popular family musical Me and My Girl at Bristol Hippodrome in a fortnight.

BLOC stalwarts Emma Watkins, 23, and Simon Vardakis, 34, will star in the lead roles.

Emma, who lives in Fishponds and recently completed a performance arts degree at Bath Spa University, said: "Me and My Girl is the perfect show to celebrate our anniversary.

"Audiences can expect a lot singing, dancing and tongue-in-cheek family fun."

Me and My Girl is a British musical, first performed in 1937 in London's Victoria Palace, with book and lyrics by Douglas Furber and LArthur Rose and music by Noel Gay.

The show tells the tale of an upper-class family who find out the long lost heir to their estate and family fortune is Bill Snibson, a Cockney, happy-go-lucky bloke from Lambeth.

But he must convince the executors he can become a proper gentleman – and he must give up his girl.

The show was hugely popular and was almost continually in production for more than 20 years before declining during the 1960s.

A new version, penned by Stephen Fry and presented by composer Gay's son, Richard Armitage, was the surprise hit of 1985, claiming the Olivier Award for best musical. It repeated its success on Broadway by winning two Tony Awards.

The show, with its cheery score, including The Lambeth Walk, Leaning on a Lamppost and The Sun has got it's Hat On, has been on several successful tours and has become a local theatre favourite.

"We can't wait to take Me and My Girl to the Hippodrome for our annual production," said Emma.

"There's nothing quite like performing at the Hippodrome – It's one of the most amazing experiences that you could get as an amateur performer.

"To perform in such a beautiful, professional venue in front of so many people is a magical feeling.

"I had been to the Hippodrome as a kid and never dreamt that I'd be up there one day. My first show there was The Witches of Eastwick three years ago. I was in the chorus for that, and it was amazing.

"Then last year I was Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, which was a obviously a bigger deal and absolutely amazing."

Bristol actor Simon Vardakis stars as the unlikely heir Bill.

"It's a privilege to perform at the Hippodrome. I've been there a few times, and its still as exciting, nerve wracking and special as it was the first time," he said.

Simon, a self-employed business consultant, has been in BLOC since he was 19, winning acclaim for his roles as the brooding Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar and Bill Sykes in Oliver!

"My first show was in 1993. I was dragged in by a girlfriend as the company was very short of men. So the deal was I'd come along and stand around and not do much," he said.

"After that, I started getting more and more involved and here I am – still here 15 years on."

"We are all having a great time rehearsing Me and My Girl and can't wait to perform it at the Hippodrome.

"It's good, fun, high energy entertainment. It has well-known songs, lots of singing and dancing, colourful costumes and sets – it's a fantastic family show."

Me and My Girl is at the Bristol Hippodrome from Tuesday, November 11 until Saturday, November 15. Tickets cost £10-£21.50 – call 0844 847 2325.