HEXHAM Mart has been a happy hunting ground for the casting crew at performing arts company November Club, which is staging the first ever musical to be held at the auction house in June.

The mart’s gardener, Eddie Milligan (75), is a familiar face as a compere at charity gigs around Tynedale – so he was more than happy to volunteer when the club’s talent scouts came calling. “I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “I’ve been Peppa Pig, Dora the Explorer and Bob the Builder before, as well as Santa Clausing for 26 years so this should be relatively straightforward.”

Blanchland farmers, Denis Lumley and his son, Stephen, who happens to be married to the musical’s composer Katie Doherty, are also taking on small speaking parts in the production.

Stephen and Denis run a flock of 1,000 Swaledale sheep and a herd of 30 Aberdeen Angus cattle, which they sell through the mart.

They have been helping the creative team by checking for authenticity and farming terminology.

Beyond the End of the Road is the title of the unique musical to be held in the Bellingham ring on June 2.

The three mart regulars will be starring alongside a cast of professional actors and musicians.

November Club’s artistic director, Cinzia Hardy, said: “ Beyond the End of the Road is the most ambitious project we have ever undertaken. The men involved at the mart have shown real enthusiasm, and who wouldn’t want to see them stand up and be involved in professional theatre?

“Denis has acted in and directed Young Farmers and 27up productions for over 40 years so is no stranger to the stage. We’re so grateful for all their support and really hope the community get behind them, buy tickets and come and see this incredible show.”

Tickets for the performance, which kicks off a Northumberland-wide tour that comes to Bardon Mill and Henshaw Village Hall on Sunday June 25, are available from the Queen’s Hall box office now.