MAKING Music is back on stage at Kendal's Westmorland Hall this month with another massive show.

Overall, 28 of the region's primary schools take part in the four-night run (from June 14 to 17, 7.30pm each night) as the MM group that created Wellytivity and Tall Tale of Till revisits its first musical hit Once Upon a Future with a few tweaks here and there.

Anne Pater, who composed the music, told me that writer and deputy head teacher of Burneside's St Oswald's School Jonathan Humble has added to his previous script staged in 1997, creating a part for one of Lakeland's most popular comic actors, Steve Hall.

Missing from the leisure centre stage this time around will be the charismatic Mary Gordon, who has retired after being one of the leading lights in the county's music scene for years.

Joining the Making Music production team is highly respected Queen Katherine School drama teacher Caroline Barber, who has worked successfully with Anne on several of the Kendal school's productions, including the forthcoming QKS spectacular Fiddler on the Roof.

Anne has been Mary Gordon's deputy and sidekick for years, and attributes much of her skill as a music teacher to the lessons she learned from Mary. She says Mary has inspired many teachers throughout her career, and indeed Making Music as well as the present format of the primary school day at the Mary Wakefield Festival, which are direct results of Mary's vision, expertise and enthusiasm. "I don't have Mary's charisma, but I am passionate about giving children all sorts of musical experience," explained Anne.

"The Making Music events that have taken place give children a wonderful opportunity to perform as part of a massed choral singing experience.

Shared music-making like this is hugely beneficial - emotionally, physically, intellectually and socially.

"I'm really looking forward to meeting all the children who will be the stars of this year's show, and I'm sure we'll manage to weave some magic together."

Again, the production features some of the region's finest musicians, such as Wendy Nicholas (piano); Ged Pinder (bass); violinists Jenny Hewitt-Jones and Debby Howrie; drummer John Powney; and guitar hero himself, St Thomas's School head teacher Bill Holliday.

I doubt many schools can boast having a teacher who auditioned for rock giants Deep Purple, as Bill did during his days as a professional musician in London. However, soon after, he made a career change and followed a path into education and St Thomas's gain has been rock music's loss.

Once Upon a Future is loosely based around the legend of Merlin, with Nicole Holmes, from Stramongate School, and Vicarage Park pupil Edward Cawley, chosen for the lead roles of Meg and Tom.

Steve Hall is Toadflax and another MM favourite Richard Pater, sporting an elongated beard, plays Merlin.

For ticket details, contact Kendal Leisure Centre on 01539-729702.