Hampton Amateur Theatre Society (HATS) held auditions for parts for their spring play, on Tuesday evening.

The group have now decided on the play they will be performing in the new year, and are expecting to announce the title in the new year.

It is hoped that it will follow on from the success of their sell-out production of Playing Away, which they performed over two nights in September this year.

The auditions were part of the group’s weekly meetings at the Community Room in Hargate Way, Hampton Hargate, on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm.

Giselle Rawlings, secretary of the group, said: “The auditions went really well, and everyone can’t wait to find out what parts they will get.

“James Cuthbert, the director, is now pondering over what he saw and the announcements will be made this week.”

The amateur dramatics group said that anyone who is interested in joining the group can still come to the meetings and work as part of the backstage crew.

Next year will also see HATS perform in a new location.

After performing their last three shows at the Austin Hall Amenity Centre in Yaxley, they are now looking for a new stage.

Mrs Rawlings said: “We are currently looking at various places in and around Peterborough to perform, and will decide where we will go over the Christmas period.”

The group has seen several new members join up following on from the success of Playing Away, and also appearing at the Hampton Open Evening in November.

Mrs Rawlings said: “It was great to be invited to take part in the open evening. It was nice to see all the other community groups from around Hampton, and also to be recognised as an established group in our own right.”

The latest production will be the fourth performed by the group since they were formed in May 2005, with each of the previous three shows, which have included the comedies Playing Away, Oh What a Life and Holiday Confusion, receiving glowing reviews.

The group are also hoping to reschedule their Christmas karaoke fund-raiser for the new year, which will also act as a welcoming party to the new members of the group.