'˜Are You Being Served?' is back!

To the delight of its fans everywhere, the smash hit television comedy Are You Being Served? is being staged at the Riverside Theatre, Coleraine for five performances from tonight (Tuesday, April4 ).

Presented by Ballywillan Drama Group, who had a hugely successful sell-out run of ANNIE during January, the play has everyone’s favourite characters including Mollie Sugden’s ‘Mrs Slocombe’, John Inman’s ‘Mr Humphries’ and Frank Thornton’s ‘Captain Peacock’.

Written by the creators of the television series, Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, the double entendres and mad-cap antics abound as the well-loved staff of Grace Brothers department store prepare first for a sale of German goods and then depart en masse for a staff holiday at a one star hotel on Spain’s Costa Plonka.

The play stars many local actors including Alan McClarty as Mr Humphries, Maxine McAleenon as Mrs Slocombe, Kent Bolton as Captain Peacock, Kellyann McKillen as Miss Brahms, Hugh McLaughlin as Mr Lucas and Paul Sleet as Mr Rumbold.

Completing the cast are Tom Waddell as Mr Mash, Shea Eastwood as Cesar and Sandra McElhinney as Teresa.

The play’s Director, Brian Logan, said of the rehearsals: “They have been a combination of mayhem, laughter and hard work.

“With such a short turn around between ANNIE and the play, the cast have worked extremely hard at recreating the iconic characters of the television series. “The cast are all enjoying their roles which has made working on the production most enjoyable.

“We are indebted to our play sponsors McClartys Insurance and RLA Mortages for their valuable financial input which has enabled us to stage the play,” he concluded.

Are You Being Served? ran for 69 episodes between 1972 and 1985 and is still shown here in the UK and also around the world.

The Ballywillan Drama Group play runs for five performances from Tuesday, April 4 to Saturday, April 8 in the Riverside Theatre.

Tickets cost £15 and may be booked online at www.riversidetheatre.org.uk or by telephone by calling the Box Office on 028 70 123 123.