Last updated at 20:31, Thursday, 09 August 2012

Maryport's amateur musical group has something to shout about – internationally famous composer Tony Hatch has become its honorary patron.

PATRON: Tony Hatch

Hatch was responsible for numerous 1960s hits, including Petula Clark’s Downtown, Don’t Sleep In The Subway and I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love. He wrote TV theme tunes including Neighbours, Crossroads and Emmerdale, and was a regular panellist on the 1970s TV talent show New Faces.

Six of Hatch’s songs are featured in Maryport Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society’s forthcoming musical Shout – set around songs of the 1960s.

Society director Clark Wilkinson wrote to Hatch’s management to inform them that the musical was being produced locally. Hatch replied himself by email and said he was delighted that the group had chosen to perform Shout.

Clark then wrote back and asked if he would be their patron.

Hatch, 73, told the Times & Star: “I don’t think I’ve ever been asked to be a patron before but I am delighted.”

Clark said: “To have one of the UK’s greatest songwriters not just to wish us good luck but also become a patron is a massive surprise.”

Shout runs from September 6 to 8 and tickets are on sale at the Wave Centre, Maryport, on 01900 811450.

First published at 19:19, Thursday, 09 August 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk