Audiences at the Rocky Horror Picture Show have been raising eyebrows since the Seventies.

But the days of dancing in the aisles to characters including Frank'n'Furter and Magenta could soon be replaced by a new craze which has started to sweep

theatreland.

Crowds have switched the S&M gear for a nun's habit to enjoy the karaoke version of The Sound of Music. The award-winning film which has been renamed Sing-A-Long-A Sound of Music was screened at The Theatre Royal in Brighton this week.

Fans of the musical turned up to the showing dressed as their favourite characters from the show and the crowd sang along to every song. Every member of the audience was given a party pack which contained an Edelweiss flower, party poppers, a handpuppet of a nun, cough sweets and a Julie Andrews-style headscarf.

They helped to create a unique party atmosphere which theatre-goers believe will become a trend throughout the country.

Tim Slater, theatre manager, said: "Most of the audience dressed up and it sounded quite amazing when everyone sang along to the songs. The audience just loved it. They all want to come back if it's booked again"

Ex-EastEnders actress Jackie Clunes was the special guest star and Master of Ceremony for the night. Jackie, who played Sue, girlfriend of Barry Evans, warmed up the audience before the film began.

She came back on stage during the interval to chat about the film and to host the fancy- dress competition. About 100 people, including a large group of nuns, took part in the competition but the main award was won by a male Julie Andrews.

Sarah Harwood, 35, who saw the show last night with 20 of her friends said: "It was so funny, I definitely think it will take take off. I've watched the film so many times and I've never enjoyed it so much. It was lots of fun with loads of banter between the audience and everyone really got involved.

"One group of three people actually made their costumes out of curtains and a girl and a bloke went in white dresses with blue satin sashes. There was someone who went as Doe a deer and the person who went as the lonely goat-herd was a runner-up in the fancy-dress competition.

"It was great. I've never known anything like it. It's like the Rocky Horror Picture Show with the audience participating but I think it's better. The first time you go to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show you don't know what to do but with The Sound of Music you already know the songs and story so you feel a part of it straight away.

"I hope it does come back here again because next next time I'll book for a 120 people. To me it was so Brighton, it was just a fantastic night."

The show is currently being shown twice a week at the Prince Charles Cinema in London.

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