MUSICAL group Encore is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the ‘flapper’ favourite ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’.

The cast presents the Broadway smash hit musical comedy, which won six Tony Awards including best musical, at The Brunton in Musselburgh from this evening.

The story follows the adventures of small town girl Millie Dillmount as she arrives in New York with a modern plan – to marry for money, not for love.

Full of fun, mishaps and lively dance routines, the Roaring Twenties will be brought to life on stage over the next four evenings with a run of performances.

East Lothian group Encore was formed in 1993 after parents saw how much fun their children were having with local group Musical Youth and they wanted to join in. Musical Youth was set up in 1992 by Peter and Heather Antonelli to provide an outlet for the talent of local children. They are formerly from Prestonpans but now live in Gullane.

Playing the part of Millie is Alison Henry, from Prestonpans, who was in the first show with Musical Youth 25 years ago. Her mum Anne Henry, a founder member of Encore, takes on the role of the stern office manager Miss Flannery. Hazel Gray, Heather’s sister, is playing the sinister Mrs Meers.

A trio of former Musical Youth members – Kirsty Sandilands, Megan Rourke and Rebecca Kinross – are the Priscilla Girls in the production. The leading man Kevin Macconnachie, playing young paper clip salesman Jimmy Smith, Millie’s love interest, is from Musselburgh.

Most of the cast are from Prestonpans, Musselburgh, Port Seton and Longniddry with a few from Edinburgh.

Tickets ( £12 and £11 concessions)can be bought from The Brunton box office on 0131 665 2240.

Meanwhile, Encore and Musical Youth are planning a joint 25th anniversary celebration on June 10.