T HREE new members have joined an amateur dramatics group for its latest production. Leek-based Centre Stage Theatre Company will be performing the farce of Don't Get Your Vicars In A Twist later this month.

Brian Martin, Ben Childs and Vicky Johnson have joined the creative team to perform the two-act play written by Ann Gawthorpe and Lesley Brown.

Brian, aged 41, a baker at Bould's of Leek, had accompanied his eight-year-old daughter to Centre Stage's open evening in November.

Although he soon discovered that the group does not cater for under 10s, he and his daughter stayed for a play reading, and this captured Brian's interest.

Brian said: "After that, I went along to a few rehearsals just to watch and then when someone dropped out of this production, I was asked to take their place.

"I was quite reluctant at first as I had not done anything like this before. But I had a think about it and thought why not."

Brian admitted: "I am struggling a bit to remember my lines but I am struggling more so with characterisation.

"However, I am looking forward to taking part in the play."

Fellow newcomer is 32-year-old Ben, who last took to the stage at the age of nine as a dwarf in his school's production of Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs. Ben, an electrician by day, said: "I had been meaning to get involved with something like this for a while, as I have always liked performing. I watched Centre Stage's Farndale last year and thought it was fun so I decided to join."

Vicky, aged 41, stock manager at Supersport in Leek, used to act with members of Centre Stage when she was a member of Leek Players 20 years ago before she moved to London. Mother-of-one Vicky, who moved back to Leek last year, said she had decided to join Centre Stage to expand her social life.

She said: "Everyone in Centre Stage is absolutely brilliant. We do take the play seriously but we also have a laugh. All three of us newcomers have been made really welcome."

Joining Brian, Vicky and Ben for the cast of Centre Stage's latest production are Jeanette Norcup, Nita Heath, Robert Walthall, John Charlesworth, Gordon Wainwright, Jayne Hurst, Andrew Tooth and Sue Cummings.

Heading the 30-strong on and off-stage team at Centre Stage is director Mike Egan.

He said: "Rehearsals are going well but putting on such a play is quite difficult. It's a farce, therefore it is not the normal routine. There is a lot of characterisation of some very eccentric characters involved."

Centre Stage will be hosting four performances of Don't Get Your Vicar's In A Twist from Wednesday, February 17, to Saturday, February 20, at 7.30pm. The venue for the show will be at Westwood First School Westwood Road in Leek.

Tickets are priced at £5.50 for the first night and £6.50 for the remaining nights. They are available from Picton Street Post Office, Over The Rainbow in Derby Street, Leek, or by calling 01538 382546.