GILLY Adam is directing her first production for Rowntree Musical Theatre, following the retirement of the stalwart Clive Hailstone last year.

Gilly is a familiar figure in York theatre circles, first performing with the York Theatre Royal repertory company in the 1970s, when she appeared in Berwick Kaler's first pantomime. Since 1988 she has taught acting and speech & drama, at present at St Olave's, St Peter's and Ebor School.

Next week's production of Little Shop Of Horrors at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre will be new territory for Gilly. "I've never done amateur theatre before," she says. "I've known Sarah Barker, from Rowntree Musical Theatre for a number of years, and after they decided they would do Little Shop Of Horrors but had no director in place, they asked me if I'd do it.

"I had to think about it, but I love Little Shop and this was a chance for me to do it with an adult cast for the first time."

Gilly said 'Yes' and brought on board John Clenaghan, head of music at St Olave's School, as Rowntree Musical Theatre's new musical director. The new team will be looking to make an instant impression. "I think there's room in York for Rowntree Musical Theatre to become an amateur company with professional standards. That's the only way I know how to work," says Gilly.

"Categorically from the start I've said that everyone has to be able to act. Everyone can sing, or thinks they can sing, but they must have acting ability or shows will look am-dram. On the audition day, the good thing was that I didn't know anyone apart from Sarah, so I could get on with it on my own way."

Her standards will be exacting. "When Clive retired, there were people who wanted to revive Rowntree Musical Theatre and bring it to life again, but as with all these things, things need changing all the time. I do have to say there are lots of shows I don't want to do, shows like Oklahoma! and Carousel," Gilly says. "That's not me and if you're not passionate about it, you can't work at that level. I like the wacky musicals, like Little Shop, which is completely mad."

Little Shop Of Horrors, Rowntree Musical Theatre, Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, Tuesday to Saturday, 7.30pm. Box office: 01904 623568.

Updated: 15:49 Thursday, June 02, 2005