THE Mayor of Ellesmere Port will take to the Civic Hall stage dressed as an outrageously camp Adolf Hitler.
Cllr Gareth Anderson is no stranger to the stage, having acted in more than 100 productions since he was four.
But this could be his most challenging and controversial feat in the town to date.
Award-winning local group, the Ellesmere Port Musical Theatre Company, is staging the Mel Brooks musical The Producers at the Civic Hall from March 30-April 2.
A tale of failed and corrupt Broadway producers, Gareth takes on the role of Roger De Bris, the awful director hired to ensure that their terrible stage show Springtime For Hitler is a flop.
But things don’t quite go to plan when Roger has to step in at the last minute to play the evil Nazi dictator. Roger's performance is so camp and outrageous that the audience mistake it for satire and it is a success.
“I have loved Mel Brooks’s films since I watched Spaceballs at the age of nine,” said Gareth.
“His films have never failed to make me laugh, especially The Producers.
“Brooks is a genius at mixing serious political messages with hilarious satire and as a history teacher and politician, how could I not love The Producers with its stinging attack on both Nazis and greed?”
Society chairman and choreographer Pam Watson, said: “We are delighted to have the chance as a society to put on The Producers here in Ellesmere Port.
“It is also great to have Gareth return to the stage with us to take part in this show after a couple of years off. He has been an active member of the company since he was 14 and is really giving this challenging role loads of thought and energy. And he even looks OK in the dress he has to wear at one point!”
Tickets are available from the box office on 0151 339 4390 or at www.ellesmereportmusicaltheatre.co.uk.
