ON SONG: Peter Karrie

HIGH Societies -- a new singing group formed from members of local operatic companies -- will be performing with top West End and Broadway performer Peter Karrie at the Albert Halls, Bolton in October.

Bernard Smith organised the group in December last year when Karrie staged a sell-out performance at the Palace Theatre, Manchester.

One hundred and twenty childen from Stagecoach schools in Bolton and Bury are also taking part.

The show -- Peter Karrie & Friends -- features a mix of songs from the musicals and stars from the world of showbusiness. It gives audiences a night of musicals magic and an insight into the usually mysterious back-stage atmosphere of some of the world's most prestigious venues.

Karrie has recently celebrated 25 years playing the lead roles in the West End; starring in Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Chess, Evita, and Jesus Christ Superstar. He is an international TV, radio and musical theatre performer .

Karrie has starred in more than 2,500 performances of his internationally acclaimed role as The Phantom of the Opera in London's West End, Canada, Singapore and Hong Kong and on the prestigious Millennium Tour.

He was named: "The World's Most Popular Phantom" in a national newspaper. He has appeared in bolton before with Emmerdale star Chloe Nuttall in the premiers of "Peter Karrie -- the Master of Musicals."

Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber announced that his dream cast for the show would include Karrie as the Phantom and Catherine Zeta Jones as Christine.

Peter is keen to attract new talent to the world of professional concerts and he stages open auditions at each venue at which he performs.

YOU could be chosen to take part and perform beside him. If you would like to take part in the show decide on your talent, audition on the day and perform live on stage the very same evening. Telephone 07971 457 805 or see www.peterkarrie andfriends.com for further details. All acts that are chosen to perform will receive a payment of £100.

As a keen supporter of charity Peter will also be helping the charity Bobath with "Peter Karrie and Friends". Bobath is a charity which helps handicapped children.

Tickets for the show on October 1 are available from the Albert Halls Box Office on 01204 334433.