Comedy queen Doreen to star in Inspector Drake whodunit play

Despite finding fame as a lazy cow, the internet sensation turned stage and film star will be playing no fewer than six characters in the new stage play Inspector Drake & The Black Widow.

Doreen will reunite with actors Alan Birch and Steve Witney from David Tristram's cult Inspector Drake movies for a laugh-a-minute stage outing which sees the world's greatest detective investigating the curious death of oil tycoon John Johnson.

Comedy fans can expect an extraordinary night at the theatre as Drake tries to find out why Johnson was badly disguised as his own wife, why he had eaten a tortoise, and why all the women in the house look familiar?

Wollaston based professional actor Alan Birch, who has been playing Inspector Drake on stage and screen since 1985, is looking forward to reprising his role as the hapless detective whom he started playing as a fresh-faced amateur dramatics star treading the boards with Citizens Theatre which was based at the old Robin Hood pub at Merry Hill.

He said: "I was 25 when I started playing Drake and I used to have to put grey in my hair to look distinguished and a bit older. I'm approaching 60 now!"

He still gets a buzz from bringing to life the bumbling cop, whom he describes as a type of John Cleese meets Inspector Clouseau, and he's "excited" to be heading out on the road as Drake and sharing a stage with Doreen, whose star has exploded since she appeared in 'Inspector Drake - The Seagull' back in 2012.

The play, being presented by Flying Ducks theatre company, starts its run at Stourbridge Town Hall on Friday October 11, and tickets are available online from https://lazycowdoreen.weebly.com/.

It will also be performed at Cannock Prince of Wales Theatre on Friday October 18, Walsall Forest Arts on Friday October 25, Birmingham's Crescent Theatre on Thursday November 14 and Bridgnorth's Theatre on the Steps on November 21, 22 and 23.

Tickets are already being snapped up quickly.