Directors of film and theatre often go out on a limb to make their productions as lifelike as possible, and West Wickham Operatic Society have come up trumps.

Solicitor and am-dram enthusiast Kevin Gauntlett will appear as The Pirate King with a real peg leg in Pirates of Penzance at The Churchill Theatre next week.

Kevin lost his leg following complications after a serious road accident six years ago, but refused to let it hold him back and continued to carry on with his usual activities, including treading the boards with local drama companies.

He will direct as well as star in the Gilbert and Sullivan opera from Wednesday (May 14) to Saturday (May 17).

He said: “I’m usually hiding the fact I have a false leg, but with this part I can make a feature of the fact, a real peg leg pirate.”

Tickets cost £10 to £24. Go to atgtickets.com/Bromley or call 0844 8717620.