A LUCKY eight-year-old is getting ready to tread the boards as part of a classic opera company coming to Blackburn.

Theatrical Seth Middlehurst, who attends St Peter’s CE Primary School in Darwen, was chosen to play the part of the child of the main character in Puccini’s Madam Butterfly, which will be staged by the Grand Opera of Belarus at King George’s Hall tomorrow (Sun).

As part of the company’s UK tour, it auditions children from local towns and cities for the role of Antonio, who plays a pivitol part in the storyine.

Seth is also part of Blackburn Youth Theatre and according to the group’s assistant director Ian Fox is perfect for the role.

He said: “Seth sings well, acts well and is totally into it.

“He really enjoys it and has been coming to the Blackburn Youth Theatre for quite a while now.

“He is one of the ones that will come every week come hell or high water and so it is really nice for him to have this opportunity.

“I have spoken to Seth’s mum and dad Karen and Lee and they are really excited that he will get the chance to perform on a big stage.”

Madam Butterfly was Puccini’s fifth opera and is set in Japan.

It tells the story of a Geisha known as Butterfly, who falls in love with an American US Navy Lieutenant Pinkerton.

They marry but Butterfly’s husband does not take the marriage seriously and heads back to America.

She gives birth to a son and waits for him faithfully.

When he returns three years later, Pinkerton has an American wife and wants to take the boy back to America.

The Grand Opera of Belarus has continuously toured around the world, and visited more than 30 countries, over the past fifteen years.