A Suffolk dog has been hand-picked to star on stage with a touring opera company when its production of La Bohème rolls into Ipswich.

East Anglian Daily Times: Lara was chosen to appear on stage at the Regent Theatre in La Boheme following our appeal. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNLara was chosen to appear on stage at the Regent Theatre in La Boheme following our appeal. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Lara, the four-year-old Maltese, was put forward following our appeal, on behalf Opera & Ballet International, to find a star dog for the show at Ipswich’s Regent Theatre on April 26.

East Anglian Daily Times: Olga Perrier, international French soprano with her dog, Jules Caesar, during dress rehearsal for La Boheme. Picture: CONTRIBUTEDOlga Perrier, international French soprano with her dog, Jules Caesar, during dress rehearsal for La Boheme. Picture: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

Director and producer Ellen Kent made the plea earlier this month – and Lara was deemed to fit the bill.

East Anglian Daily Times: Eva and Lara are joining the cast of touring opera, La Boheme. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNEva and Lara are joining the cast of touring opera, La Boheme. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Owner Eva, from near Woodbridge, will walk Lara on stage to play Musetta’s dog in the café scene.

She said: “I was quite sure she wouldn’t be picked. I’d heard dogs with white coats don’t get chosen over darker dogs that stand out on television and in films.”

Eva hopes Lara’s appearance will help give her the confidence to provide a therapy service for sick children and older people. She already helps allergy sufferer Eva by detecting early symptoms of immune reactions.