When members of a Bradford drama group were told to "break a leg" little did they know that three leading men would end up in bandages just days before their opening night!

But the show must go on for Idle and Thackley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society and the bandaged cast members are determined to hobble on stage for their production of Kiss Me Kate, which starts tomorrow.

The trio of setbacks began when Damien Shalks, who plays Bill, fell off a roundabout while enjoying a day out in a park and sprained a muscle in his leg.

Then Michael Gowing, who plays Gremio, damaged a cartilage in his knee when he fell over getting out of bed.

And Graham Robinson, playing Hortensio, injured his knee after returning from holiday with a virus.

"We couldn't believe it when they all came in with leg injuries," said society spokesman Ray Whittingham.

"With so little time to go before the show starts everyone was a bit worried. Rehearsals are almost over and because we're an amateur society we don't have understudies.

"But the lads assured me they will put their best feet forward!"

It is not the first time the society has suffered setbacks just before a show. In 1998 its production of Mame - a show generally thought in theatrical circles to carry a curse - was besieged with problems.

Ray said a total of nine performers dropped out of the show one by one only weeks before it was due to start.

"The director and musical director both pulled out because of illness, and the leading lady and six other cast members had to drop out because of work commitments," he said.

"It became a full-time job trying to get enough people for the performance, but we managed it in the end."

Mame, made famous on Broadway in the 1960s, is said to carry a curse bringing bad luck to performances of the show.

"It certainly seemed to affect us," said Ray.

"I don't know of a similar curse with Kiss Me Kate - but we are determined the show will go on."

Based on Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew and featuring classic Cole Porter numbers, the musical is about a group of actors whose real lives mirror the play they are performing.

The cast includes Raymond Hainsworth, Anne Tonks and Paula Mercer.

Kiss Me Kate runs at Bingley Arts Centre from May 29 to June 2. Tickets are available on (01274) 752000.