The chairman of Longwood Amateur Operatic Society completed a 10-hour sing-a-thon in the courtyard at Huddersfield’s Lawrence Batley Theatre to raise funds for the group’s next show.

The society is to stage Sunset Boulevard at the LBT from October 4-8 and the cost of putting on productions has increased dramatically.

The society, which is two years away from its centenary, is having to think ‘outside the box’ for its fundraising and Martin Stead set out to raise £500 by stretching his vocal cords.

Martin sang songs from various genres including swing, musical theatre and pop. He was also joined for two hours by Tom Widdop and for the last three hours by Dominic Comber-Moccia.

The society is presenting Sunset Boulevard by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd.

With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the story tells of faded silent-screen goddess Norma Desmond who lives in a fantasy world in her mansion.

Impoverished screenwriter Joe Gillis, on the run from debt collectors, stumbles into her reclusive domain.

Persuaded to work on Norma’s “masterpiece,” a film script that she believes will put her back in front of the cameras, he is seduced by her and her luxurious lifestyle.

Joe becomes entrapped in a claustrophobic existence until his love for another woman leads him to try and break free with dramatic consequences.

It’s not too late to donate to Martin’s JustGiving page HERE and tickets for Sunset Boulevard can be booked on the LBT website HERE.

In October 2023 the society is planning to bring the musical Ghost to the LBT stage.