THE extremely talented Fareham Musical Society present the southern area premiere of Billy - a musical based on the hit novel Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse.

The comedy musical tells the story of daydreaming Billy, a habitual liar with three girlfriends, two of whom he's engaged to (and not forgetting Marilyn Monroe, who lives in his wardrobe).

Rousing songs include I Missed the Last Rainbow, Some of us Belong to the Stars and Aren't you Billy Fisher?. We join Billy on his struggle to dispose of 300 calendars he was supposed to have posted for his firm but pocketed the postage money instead.

His dream is to break free from his Yorkshire roots and begin a new life in London. But when the chance comes, can he actually swap his fantasy life for reality?

The idea of turning Billy Liar into a musical was that of composer John Barry, best know for his film scores for Bond movies.

After acquiring the rights from Waterhouse and Hall, he worked with lyricist Don Black and hired top TV and screenplay duo Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais to adapt the play. The show ran at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, with Michael Crawford in the title role, for two years.

Kevin Mitchell of Fareham Musical Society says: "The pedigree of Billy as a musical is impeccable - you only have to look at the names involved.

"We are delighed to be the first am dram group in the south to put on this production and offer something diffferent from the usual musicals."

Tuesday until Saturday September 27. Performance: 7.30pm (Saturday matinee 2.30pm.) Tickets: from £7. Box office: 01329 231942.