A MUCH-loved but worn out family car has been saved from the scrap heap to take centre stage in FAME – the Musical, opening in Stourport on Tuesday (April 25).

The tired old Volvo is being transformed into the iconic yellow taxi that appears in the rousing finale to the 80’s classic hit.

The once proud owner – soon to be even prouder – is Nicola Hartland, chairman of Limelight Productions, which is staging the show.

She said: “I wanted a new car and this was the ideal opportunity to persuade my partner that it really was time to replace it, and thankfully, he agreed."

In between rehearsals, Doug Forrester, who plays drama teacher Mr Myers, has been busily dismantling the unassuming dark blue Volvo, rebuilding it as a stage vehicle capable of being danced on and painting it bright yellow.

The persuasive Miss Hartland has also managed to coax her taxi driver neighbour into loaning his taxi sign as the finishing touch.

She added: “It’s going to be a great show – the cast is fantastic – and we had to make a set worthy of them.

“So many people have helped in so many ways, for which we are really grateful, and I can’t wait to see my old Volvo in the spotlight.”

Limelight’s resident director and choreographer Jane Bennett is staging Fame with musical direction from David Howles, leading a live orchestra.

The show opens on Tuesday and runs nightly at 7.30pm until Saturday April 29, plus a Saturday matinee at 2pm.

Tickets, priced £14.50, (family ticket for two adults and two children £50 and discounts for groups of 10 plus) are available online from www.ticketsource.co.uk/limelight, from The Civic box office, Martins Way, Stourport, 01299 823339, open weekdays 10am until 2pm. For inquiries call 07772 364735.