Carluke Amateur Operatic: South Pacific 2014 slideshow

The plot centres on an American nurse stationed on a South Pacific island during World War Two who falls in love with a middle-aged expatriate French plantation owner but struggles to accept his mixed-race children.

A secondary romance, between a US lieutenant and a young Tonkinese woman, explores his fears of the social consequences should he marry his Asian sweetheart.

Long-time CAOS director James Cassidy treads the boards for the first time in 13 years as French plantation owner Emile de Berque while Nikki McEwan stars as leading lady Nellie Forbrush.

Other stars include Derrick Pearce as Lt Joseph Cable, Geraldine Chambers as his love interest Liat with the role of the superb Bloody Mary being played by Eileen Clifford.

The character of crafty Luther Billis is played by Ronnie Honey, Ian James stars as Capt George Brackett and Baz Tweed is Cmdr William Harbison.

Of course, no musical is complete without instantly recognisable songs and South Pacific has them by the bucketload.

Classics such as I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair, Some Enchanted Evening, There Is Nothing Like a Dame, Happy Talk, Younger Than Springtime and I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy will have the audience singing and clapping along.

The original Broadway production enjoyed immense critical and box-office success, became the second-longest running Broadway musical to that point (behind Rodgers and Hammerstein’s earlier Oklahoma!), and has remained ever popular since.

Carluke Amateur Operatic Society presents South Pacific in Carluke Lifestyles Centre from Tuesday, November 11, to Saturday, November 15, at 7.30pm with a matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm. Tickets, priced £11 to £13, are available by calling 01555 770614 or by logging onto the Carluke Amateur Operatic Society website.

Freelance photographer Sarah Peters was on hand to capture the dress rehearsal action for the Gazette and her pictures are featured in our slideshow, created for your viewing pleasure by editor Julie Currie.

Sarah’s pictures can be purchased now on the Buy A Photo section of our website.