SEQUINS and whooping formed part of a roof-raising rehearsal as a Swindon musical institution prepared to take to the stage later this month.

Kentwood Show Choir will perform for two nights at the Wyvern Theatre and are busy gearing up for performances – 40 years after they sang in the theatre’s opening show.

And, despite being formed 47 years ago and having an average choristers’ age of 45, the future is bright.

After warming up, the 40-odd singers, clad in blue sparkly jackets, launched into a rousing version of Queen’s Somebody to Love, which will feature in their forthcoming show.

Founder Sheila Harrod, 67, of Mellow Ground, Haydon Wick, said: “It’s an honour to be able to do it. It was nice to be represented at the opening, and then again at 40 years on.

“We’ll have something for everyone.”

The group, named after the kennels where Sheila got her corgi puppy, started in her parents’ front room and has been going ever since.

At its peak in the 1980s there were around 75 members, but competing with technology hasn’t been too easy. She said: “Young people can’t find the commitment.

“There’s too much going on, and some young people haven’t got direction and can’t find regular commitment. Don’t laugh at me, but I think mobile phones have a lot to answer for.

“There’s so much going on for young people. But choral work is lacking in young people because they can’t find the time this choir demands.”

But some were more optimistic.

One of the only men in the choir, Graham Davison-Smith, 50, said: “Although with X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent there are negative points, they’re positive in the sense they’re bringing more people in from a male point of view.

“We’re starting to get a bit of positivity.

“You get a lot more boys seeing it on TV and it’s not such an embarrassment for boys to sing.

“When I was growing up it was much more unusual.”

Longest-serving member Yvonne Walker, 65, of Stratton, said: “It’s just about the joy of being in the theatre.

“We’ve got some really lovely music we’re doing, and what we’re striving for is to get more people into the theatre and listening.”

The Kentwood Showcase runs at the Wyvern on May 14 and 15 at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £12.50 and are available by calling the box office on 01793 524481 or by logging on to www.wyverntheatre.org.uk.