Young performers have donned their lederhosen and nuns' habits and perfected their yodelling, in preparation for a performance of The Sound of Music.

The 35 teenagers and children, who are all members of the Oxfordshire Youth Music Theatre (OYMT), were taking to the stage at The Theatre At Headington last night. The premiere coincided with the 40th anniversary of the musical film's triumph at the Oscars, when it won four awards, including Best Picture.

Lindsay Dale, 18, from John Mason School, in Abingdon, is playing Maria, and she hopes to audition for Lord Lloyd-Webber's production of the same musical.

Anthony Hansen, 16, from St Birinus School, in Didcot, is playing Captain Von Trapp. He has already been accepted for the Youth Music Theatre: UK's forthcoming production of Frankenstein.

A number of past members of the theatre group, which runs auditions in June and July and is run by Oxfordshire County Council's music service, have gone on to acting and singing careers on the national stage.

Show director Debbie Rose, who also runs OYMT, said: "Lindsay has a beautiful soprano voice and a natural talent for acting she is perfect for the part of Maria.

"Anthony has an unusually developed voice for a 16-year-old and tremendous stage presence."

The show, which includes a singalong number, runs until Saturday at the theatre, at Headington School. To book tickets, call the Oxfordshire County Music Service on 01865 740006, or the box office on 01865 759138.