EASTENDERS' star Barbara Windsor has sent a good-luck message to Nohow Productions who present the musical Sing a Rude Song next month.

In a letter to Director, Nora Howcroft, Barbara writes: "I was delighted to hear that your company will be producing Sing a Rude Song in February.

"I loved doing the show and have very happy memories of it. I consider it one of the best things I have done and felt the show never got the credit it deserved.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you and your company every success with this production. I'm sure you will have great fun."

Nora said: "It was a lovely letter to receive. The show was staged by Bolton Little Theatre in 1976 when it was directed by Jean Hansen, but I don't think it has been produced anywhere since then."

Barbara starred as Marie Lloyd in the musical at the Greenwich Theatre in 1970.

Nohow's Marie Lloyd will be Judith Stamford.

The show is set at the height of Marie Lloyd's fame when she came before the Licensing Committee accused of being lewd.

Because of this, despite being the highest paid performer of the time, she was not invited to perform at the first Royal Command Performance of 1912.

The Musical Director for Nohow is Arnold Thornton who has transcribed the music score, written by Ron Grainer, for the production.

Grainer's music was destroyed by fire but Arnold has transcribed it from tape recordings.

Sing a Rude Song features such musical hall numbers as My Old Man Says Follow the Van, Oh, Mr Porter, The Boy I Love and The Houses in Between.

Featured in the show are Chris Oldham as Alec Hurley (Marie's second husband), Robin Thompson as Bernard Dillon (the singer's third husband) Robert Margolis as Moss Mindlebaum, Connie Rorrison and Marian Henrys as the Sambolinis (a failed sister act), Kathrine Henrys as Marie Lloyd's maid and Don Howcroft as Marie Lloyd's dress designer.

The show runs from February 16 to 20 at the Theatre, Girls' Division, Bolton School, Chorley New Road, Bolton.

Tickets are available from 01204 592243.

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