Sales are going reasonably well, with around 40 per cent of tickets sold.

The former Chichester Amateur Operatic Society is now hoping that a surge in sales in the final few weeks will take them past the 70 per cent they need to achieve.

CAOS chairman Elizabeth Peacock said: "Although tickets are selling, we really could do with a bit of a boost. Usually we have a visual display in the library but alas they have a building project going on so therefore are unable to help us out. So that source of advertising is lost to us."

As for the production, Elizabeth said: "The rehearsals are progressing very well and Die Fledermaus will be an excellent show. As well as the magical music of Johann Strauss, we are presenting a beautifully-costumed show that is full of humour and which is extremely well executed by some very talented local actors and actresses.

"Although CAOS Musical Productions is an amateur company, we pride ourselves on putting on very professional performances. Both the cast and production team are very dedicated to that end."

Die Fledermaus, set in Vienna in the 1870s, is a light-hearted romp through mistaken identities, with domestic intrigue, a lavish party thrown by a Russian Count, and a drunken jailor, and with all the loose ends eventually tied up in prison.....

Sung in English, it is directed by Audrey Pring, with musical direction from Michael Walsh. The male and female leads are David Russell and Amanda Crehan. It will be performed in Chichester's Minerva Theatre from Monday-Saturday October 27-November 1, 7.15pm evening performances and 2.15pm Saturday matinee. Tickets from the CFT box office from £13.25 on 01243 781312.