Strictly Ballroom California!

The California Ballroom on Dunstable Downs rocked to the sound of the Rolling Stones, Ike and Tina Turner, Ben E King, Lulu, Dusty Springfield, The Jam and Slade – to name but a few on its illustrious roll call.

Now local mum Kerrie Duggan, 35, has put together a fictional story, loosely based on fact, that celebrates the best of that magical time.

The former Manshead pupil, who has 20 years’ experience writing and producing, is “optimistic and anxious” about preview extracts from her musical Ballroom California which are being presented at Luton Library Theatre on March 21 and 22.

“It’s a work in progress,” she explained. “We’re hoping to get it on to a much bigger stage.”

And she added: “We’ve had loads of interest from the West End and an Oscar-nominated designer from London has also been in touch.”

Kerrie – who wrote the script after the birth of her daughter Rosara, now 16 months old – said: “The two central characters are fictional but it’s a true story and it’s local – it shows Dunstable in a positive, fun light

The idea came from a chance conversation with her father, former Dunstable publican Declan Duggan. And she’s had lots of help along the way from a raft of famous name, including script mentor and Morse actor Kevin Whately.

> Tickets for the 45 minute show, starting at 7.30pm, cost £5 (£3 for concessions) from www.lutonculture.com or the box office on 01582 547474.