Plucky Amy Bowyer has made sure the show can go on after having a needle removed from her foot without general anaesthetic.
 

The 25-year-old is due to take part in a production of Oh! What a Lovely
War this week, where she will be singing and dancing and taking on
multiple roles.
 

However, things were thrown into jeopardy when Ms Bowyer accidentally trod on a sewing machine needle, which became embedded in the ball of her foot.
 

Ms Bowyer, of Victoria Road, Shoreham, went to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton where a doctor told her she would need to
have a general anaesthetic to remove about 3cm of needle.
 

She said: “I felt a sharp pain in my right foot on Wednesday and I saw a
needle in the carpet, which I assumed had pricked my foot.
 

“What I actually found was that part of the needle had broken off
when the rest of it entered my foot.
 

“I put up with the pain for a day and then went to accident and emergency.
 

“All the advice was to have the needle removed under general anaesthetic.
 

“But when I explained about the show and how I had to be fit to dance,
the doctor said the only way was for him to try and remove it under local
anaesthetic. But he warned me it would be painful – and it was!”
 

However, Ms Bowyer says the discomfort was worth it, as she
should now be able to take up her role in the production, which is being
staged by the Southwick Players at the Barn Theatre, Southwick, from
Wednesday to Saturday.
 

Told using songs from the period, the show is both a scathing attack on
the futility of the First World War and a moving testament to the bravery of
the men from both sides who made the ultimate sacrifice.
 

Director Richard Lindfield said: ‘When Amy turned up to rehearsal
with her foot and leg heavily bandaged and on crutches, my heart
sank.
“However, she is a real trouper and determined to be fit for opening
night. A general anaesthetic would have meant not being able to put any
weight on her foot for at least a week, which would have ruled her out of the show.”
 

Tickets are still available for the show, which starts at 7.30pm each
night and includes a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday.
 

For more details, call 01273 597094, or visit

www.southwickplayers.org.uk.