The society was delighted with the number of children who turned up to try for the lead role of Annie, and has divided the orphans into two teams.

The musical will be staged at the Palace Theatre, Newark, from March 19 to 23.

The orphans are Amber Ackerman and Megan Harman as Annie; Rebecca Mahony and Ellie Chambers as Duffy; Laura Greenberry and Natalie Rowe as Pepper; Hannah Nolan and Lilli Rose Richardson as July; Libby Taylor-Welch and Imogen Birkett as Tessie; Libby Carrington and Mimmi Bendy as Molly; and Lilly Mae Bendy and Holly Timings-Thompson as Kate.

Amber and Megan are no strangers to the stage. Amber, 13, a pupil at the Minster School, Lincoln, has recently finished playing the part of Brigita in the County Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society’s production of The Sound Of Music in Lincoln.

Megan, 13, who attends the Brunts Academy in Mansfield, has played lead roles in a number of school productions. For both girls this is their first performance with the Newark society and they are particularly looking forward to the challenge of taking on such an iconic role.

Jo Dewberry makes a welcome return, playing the part of the tyrannical Miss Hannigan. She recently played Maria in The Sound Of Music in Lincoln. Jo has been in the society for a number of years and last year played Lady Jaqueline Carstone in Me And My Girl.

The main characters are Lyndon Warnsby as Oliver Warbucks; Kate Merrick as Grace; Justin Day as Rooster; Adele Lebeter as Lily St Regis; Tim Jenks as FD Roosevelt; Steve Watson as Bert Healey and Brad Buchanan as Drake.

Other roles will be played by Jade Mulligan, Julia Raine, Rachel Keay, Luc Chigwell, Rebecca Cope, Nick Oliver, Jamie Bendy, Karen Bendy, Abbie White, Dawn Bond, Dean Hyde, Elliott Ditton, Rachel Mitchell and Elaine Croft.

There are still a few spaces for small speaking parts and the chorus, especially for men. For more information call membership secretary Sheila Hoare on 07732780321

Tickets are available from Rita Crowe at [email protected] to January 6.

They will then be sold at the Palace.