EVITA'S funeral scene is one of the most dramatic in the production. But finding a gun carriage to carry her was harder than the Ipswich Dramatic and Operatic Society expected.

By Victoria Knowles

EVITA'S funeral scene is one of the most dramatic in the production. But finding a gun carriage to carry her was harder than the Ipswich Dramatic and Operatic Society expected.

They searched high and low and even considered getting one from the army-but they soon realised that this would not be a good idea.

Shaun Wymark, publicity officer said: " It was a very difficult thing to get hold of. Lets face it it is not the sort of thing you have hanging around in the attic. We did think about getting one from the army but when we realised how much it weighed it was clear the stage would not take it and that it would fall straight through," he said.

This led to a desperate plea on radio to find a group who could make them one in time for the opening night.

In stepped Wood N Stuff, a co-operative set up in Bury St Edmunds, they offered to make the carriage and save one of the most important scenes in the play.

The co-operative is a workshop for disabled people where the people who use the workshop actually own it. They make and sell a variety of things from picnic benches to bird tables.

Dave Morely, one the directors at Wood N stuff said it was one of the most intricate projects they have ever done.

"About six people worked on this carriage. The most difficult thing about it was the wheel hubs and they took a day and a half to make on their own.

"It made us put our thinking caps on because they wanted something strong but light enough to take on and off stage easily. All together it took us about three and a half days to finish," he said.

As the picture shows the gun carriage is now ready to carry tragic Evita to her final resting place.

Evita is now running at the Regent until April 20. For more information call the box office on Ipswich 433100.