Gelled hair and circular skirts are being prepared for a show written for a children’s theatre group which opens at Harpenden Public Halls next Thursday, July 16.

Rehearsals for the Hurst Children’s Theatre Group’s production of Turn Your Radio On, written for the youngsters by the director’s father Mike Hurst and based on his experiences of the music business in the 1950s, began in February.

It tells the story of young Cyril Rumbold and his gang - Vince and Crusher - who are discovered by theatrical agent Harry Slime and catapulted into stardom.

With a spot on the BBC’s Six Five Special, Cyril puts himself and the UK on the rock ‘n’roll map.

But America’s biggest star, Razor Sharp, is not amused and he tries to sabotage their plans in a show featuring musical numbers from the 50s supported by a professional rock ‘n’ roll band.

The show, which runs until July 21, is the 19th production since the theatre group was formed a decade ago.

The cast are aged between three and 17 and tickets are £9 for adults, £7 concessions, available here, email hctg@live.co.uk or ring 07568 363104.