THE stage is set once more as Clydebank Musical Society prepares to make a return to the limelight for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

CMS is staging its own production of classic Scottish musical Sunshine on Leith next week.

The sold out performances will take place in Clydebank Town Hall with performers across the adult section “feeling really positive” ahead of opening night on March 16.

During lockdown the Society’s activities ceased with rehearsals only restarting in October.

Elaine Haddock, a member of the CMS committee, explained the challenges the group faced during the height of the pandemic.

She said: “We started back rehearsals in October for the adult section and had to keep stopping and starting which gave us less time to rehearse than we would normally have. It’s been difficult.”

In March 2020, CMS was set to dazzle audiences with a performance of 9 to 5 but were left “devastated” as the show was cancelled one night before it was set to open.

Elaine added: “It was heart-breaking. The cast were absolutely devastated, there were lots of tears. It’s months and months of rehearsals.

“All the costumes had been bought, all the prep had been done, we did the dress and technical rehearsals and all of the set was set up in the town hall.

“We had to go back the next day and empty it all, it was awful.”

Despite this blow the Society continued to host fundraising events for the upcoming production which kept in line with its theme.

Members took part in a sponsored walk shortly before Christmas where they walked 500 miles and then 500 more raising nearly £1,500.

This year, the show will go on as the cast prepare to lace up their dancing shoes and hit the stage for the first time in two years.

Elaine added: “We’re just really excited. I think there’s a sense of fun, it’s like we are all being allowed back out to play.

“There seems to be a new energy about, an appreciation, we haven’t done this in so long and it’s nice to see everybody.”