A GROUP of Llandudno players with the very best pedigree will keep it in the family for a production of a Rogers & Hammerstein's classic.

Following the massive success of their 40th anniversary production of Barnum in 2018, Llandudno Youth Music Theatre (LYMT) will bring a very personal production of Oklahoma! to the Venue Cymru stage from tonight for three nights.

Calista Frangos, who will take on the leading female role of Laurey, along with her cousins Jordan Lawrence - playing Ike Skidmore - and Jadzea Lawrence are the great grandchildren of Gwen Overton, 88, and Clive Stock, 92.

Gwen and Clive met and fell in love more than 70 years ago when they were both performing in the original West End production of the show at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in 1947, where Gwen was the understudy to Laurey.

They gradually became very close and on the December 23 1948 were engaged and married in 1949.

Gwen was the first British and youngest leading lady aged 16 in Oklahoma! – until that time, the cast had been made up solely of American performers, and went on to be the original star of the musical Brigadoon in Australia and New Zealand.

When Clive firs joined the show, he'd had a scant rehearsal with the producer and the male singers and one run through with the ensemble.

In 1947 the actors did nine performances a week with a 37-piece orchestra and not one microphone in the theatre!

In 1947 Oklahoma! and Annie Get your Gun were the most successful and financially rewarding productions in London.

Together Clive and Gwen appeared in the following musicals, Show Boat, The Student Prince, The Merry Widow and CB Cochran’s last musical Love at the Top.

Calista, Jordan and Jadzea have enjoyed to opportunity to find out more about such a unique and personal connection to the show.

Oklahoma! will be at Venue Cymru from Thursday, July 25 until Saturday 27 at 7.30pm, with an additional matinee showing at 2.30pm on Saturday.

Tickets start at £15, to book visit venuecymru.co.uk or call the box office on 01492 872000.