SWELTERING in the searing heat of a kitchen all day, cook Lorraine O'Brien then marched on to the stage of a roasting hot theatre.

It's been a labour of love for this passionate tenor player, performing Brassed Off, the poignant drama about a pit and colliery band under threat - for 14 nights!

"Wigan Little Theatre is only small, the audience is very close to you and it's really hot," said Lorraine, 40, catering manager at Bayer CropScience, in Gorsey Lane, Widnes.

"We have four costume changes and don't get home until 11pm, but it's great!"

It's been a real life experience for Lorraine as, like the band in the play, she performed at the Royal Albert Hall with championship Haydock Brass Band - as the underdogs.

"I felt very privileged," said Lorraine, a band member for 27 years. "The week before, Pavarotti had been on stage. It makes the hairs at the back of your neck stand on end."

Women now make up the majority of the 170-year-old colliery band but Lorraine shares the zeal and fervour of the musicians featured in the production.

"We're all amateur and do this voluntarily," she said.

She said she has loved every minute playing to sell-out audiences.