The Dinnington Operatic Society will take the unforgettable opening of Barry Manilow’s Grammy Award-winning hit song to provide this nostalgic tribute to the movie musicals of the 1940s.

And the opening night will be particularly special for the cast, as they will be presented with a national trophy award for their programme design for last year’s pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk.

Society spokesman Kirstie Probert said the team had been rehearsing hard since June, and promised theatre-goers a night to remember.

”It’s an energetic and uplifting show with loads of music that people will recognise,” she said. ”The twist with this production is that the band is going to be live on stage with backing singers, so the music will be really memorable.”

The tale follows aspiring songwriter Stephen, who is carried back to an era when ‘music and passion were always the fashion’, at the world-famous Copacabana nightclub in New York City.

In his dream, Lola Lamar, a hopeful showgirl, is launched on the path to stardom as a Copa Girl, with the help of Tony Starr, a bartender with dreams of his own.

Captivated by Lola’s performance, the villainous Rico whisks her away to the Tropicana nightclub in Havana.

From this exotic, distant new world, a tale of old-fashioned love, jealousy and murder in the entangled lives of Lola, Tony and Rico unfolds amidst a whole host of dazzling costumes, sets and sharp choreography.

Copacabana is directed by Trish Probert, assisted by Ashley Booker, and choreographed by Michelle Holland and Kirstie Probert, with Andrew Collis in his seventh year as musical director.

Tickets for all performances, which start at 7.15pm, are priced £8 for adults and £6.50 for children and concessions – call the box office on 01709 532800.