NEWS Group film and theatre critic Kyle Pedley has this week swapped his seat in the audience for a role on the stage in a Stourbridge production of Legally Blonde.

Based on the hit 2001 movie starring Reese Witherspoon, the show is being presented by Stourbridge Amateur Operatic Society and is running at Stourbridge Town Hall until Saturday October 22.

Lara Mitchell stars as blonde sorority queen Elle Woods who, after being dumped, decides to follow her ex-boyfriend to law school to get him back but once there she discovers she's more legally savvy than she ever thought.

While seasoned online reviewer Kyle swaps roles to play Professor Callahan in the show - the long-running society's 106th production.

Kyle, aged 29, from Amblecote, Stourbridge, who has never appeared in a stage show before or sung publicly, said of his first performance on Monday October 17: "Opening night was a terrifying but thrilling experience - we had a fantastic audience in, including some of my closest friends, which both helped and also made it even scarier.

"But it's just a joy to be in such a talented company both on and off stage in a really fantastic, funny and affirming show with loveable characters and memorable tunes.

"The nerves aren't as bad as they were in the lead-up to opening night, so I'm looking forward to what I'm sure is going to a very memorable show week."

Tickets for Friday and Saturday night shows have virtually sold out but seats remain available for the Saturday matinee and week night shows.

For availability go to www.stourbridge-operatic.co.uk, or call the society’s ticket secretary on 07504 301767 or email tickets@stourbridge-operatic.co.uk.

People can also buy and collect tickets from the town hall box office between 10am and 1pm weekdays (and on the night before the show starts).