ESSEX singing group Rug Opera made a leap of faith when they put on their first fully- staged theatrical production after 13 years as a travelling singing group.

The risk paid off triumphantly, when Rug received the Best Show of the Year award at the Palace Theatre in Westcliff.

In November, Rug mounted a full-scale production of the Johann Strauss operetta Die Fledermaus.

As always, members gave their services free, and the box office takings all went to charity.

Rug spokeswoman Deborah Groves said: “It was a big new adventure for us and quite nerve-wracking, but it paid off thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of everyone involved.”

In the end, the show made a profit of £4,000. The funds were split, with £2,000 each going to Lennox Children’s Cancer Trust and Fair Havens Hospice.

Southend-based rug Opera’s members are all trained singers and, in some cases, trained actors and instrumentalists.

They have performed in concert together since the group was founded in 1995.

Their travels have taken them around Essex and beyond, giving renditions in a hotchpotch of locations including barns, bandstands, marquees, churches, restaurants and gardens. Rug’s title is a reference to magic carpet rides. After 13 years on the road, Rug members decided to try their luck with a full-scale theatrical production and their first scheduled public stage performance. “It was quite a tense period,” Deborah says. “But it was all right on the night, and we are very gratified Die Fledermaus enjoyed such a good reception, and that we have been honoured in this way.”

The award was voted for and presented by the Palace Theatre Club.