IT was something of an unlikely gathering to say the least. Jesus and Mary Magdalene stood, albeit a bit uneasily, next to nightclub singer Reno Sweeney, while a glammed up Dolly Levi and portly Horace Vandergelder chatted animatedly to a strolling jester, an assistant tormentor and a colourful Yeoman, amongst others.

This who’s who of musical theatre gathered on the stage of the King’s Theatre recently to launch the Leven Street venue’s 2005 Local Heroes season, a four-week celebration of Edinburgh’s amateur musical theatre talent.

Eclectic is a good word to describe the forthcoming season which kicks off next week with Edinburgh Music Theatre’s production of the biblical favourite Godspell (February 23-26).

That’s followed a week later by the Southern Light Opera Company and the Cole Porter classic Anything Goes (March 1-5). With the action taking place on a ship sailing from New York to London in the early 1930s, Anything Goes has proved a perennial favourite on not just the amateur circuit but also with Rep theatres.

Next, the Bohemians present the Broadway hit that made a household name of Carol Channing, Hello Dolly (March, 8-12). A musical comedy set in the New York of the 1890s it tells the tale of Dolly Levi, dance teacher turned matchmaker.

Finally, the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Edinburgh bring the King’s Local Heroes season to a close with The Yeomen of the Guard (March 15-19), a tale of high drama and romance set within the walls of the Tower of London, and one which Gilbert & Sullivan both considered to be the best of their joint work.

Bringing these productions to the stage takes weeks, and in some cases months, of preparation as members of the city’s amateur companies sacrifice their weekday evenings to ensure they put on the best show possible.

Explaining the enduring attraction of amateur theatre for performers, mother of two Fiona MacFarlane, who is preparing to play an angel in the Southern Light Opera’s Anything Goes, says: "What other hobby would allow a mother of two the escapism of playing a flirtatious night club chorus girl?" she laughs.

"I love it - and I am so glad I started at school. I have many friends who got involved later in life and wish they had joined a company sooner. Singing is a great form of relaxation and the tap dancing routines for Anything Goes have provided some great exercise."

And while MacFarlane may not have a starring role, Anything Goes is sure to prove a milestone production for the 41-year-old who, after the Saturday matinee will be presented with her NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) medal for 25 years service to amateur theatre.

She says: "This is my 17th year with SLO, and as Betty Coull, the lady who introduced me to the company in 1988 said: ‘When you join the Southern Light Opera Company it becomes not so much a hobby, more a way of life’ - she had joined in 1926."

Amateur theatre is also a way of life for Andrew Crawford, a manager with the Bank of Scotland. He doesn’t just play the second Yeoman in the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Edinburgh’s latest production, he’s also the company’s president.

The 32-year-old first discovered Gilbert & Sullivan as a pupil at Heriot’s, and says that joining an amateur company was the obvious route for him to take on leaving school, although he did briefly think about going professional. Instead he decided to perform simply for the love of performing.

"I have thought about it but it’s a bit of a cut-throat industry and not easy to get into," he says.

"This way I can do just about as much and there’s no risk at the end of the day. I do it because I want to do it and not to pay the bills at the end of the month."

The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Edinburgh - which boasts people from professions as diverse as teaching, accounting and computer software engineering amongst its members - has been meeting to rehearse The Yeomen of the Guard twice weekly since last September. And because the performers do it for the love of being on stage, cast numbers are limited only by people’s availability rather than by budget.

"You get a lot of enjoyment from putting on a show that is nearly as good, if not better in some cases, than a professional show," says Crawford, adding: "Amateur shows are also often much bigger than the professional ones as most professional productions now have a very limited amount of chorus work because of the costs involved."

Last year the Bohemians staged a production of Jesus Christ Superstar, next year they plan to do West Side Story. This year, however, it’s Hello Dolly that the company’s cast of 60 will tackle.

Playing the judge in the piece is 65-year-old retired Customs Officer, Robin Whyke, who cites his "love of singing" as the main reason he became involved in amateur theatre - little knowing how long or how far his journey would take him.

He says: "I started singing as a choir boy at the age of six years old. I just love singing, I really do just love singing. The acting came afterwards... it had to once I got on a stage."

The thrill of performing is obviously something that many people find addictive, and Whyke is no exception. He laughs when asked how many shows he has now appeared in, saying: "I couldn’t tell... countless. But they’ve all been sheer unadulterated enjoyment, that’s all there is to it. That and the great thrill of getting to perform on the stage of the King’s Theatre."

John Stalker, chief executive of the Festival City Theatres Trust who operate the King’s and Festival Theatre - where more Local Heroes can be found next month when Edinburgh Grand Opera present Aida (March, 9-12) - is enthusiastic about the role the famous venues have to play in amateur theatre in the Capital. He believes the spirit behind Local Heroes is something worth celebrating - and worthy of a place on the city’s most storied stages.

"When you think of The King’s you may think of the annual pantomime or the International Festival but thousands think of it as home to Edinburgh’s Local Heroes - the city’s major amateur musical theatre societies.

"They are a linchpin of The King’s programme and their productions involve literally hundreds of local people. Together they represent a massive explosion of artistic spirit and enterprise.

"I hope everyone in Edinburgh will celebrate the marvellous talents of our Local Heroes at The King’s this Spring."

LIAM RUDDEN