THE first public performance by this year's Lower Sixth Drama Group at Stokesley School was so popular that an extra showing had to be arranged.

The full houses on three evenings thoroughly enjoyed a lively and funny production of year 12's examination piece - a skilful adaptation by drama teacher Rob Clilverd of the original comedy, Dinnerladies, by Victoria Wood.

A cast of 18 students, including one 13-year-old who had been invited to join in the fun, romped through a witty, and occasionally risque, script with great enjoyment, and credit is due to the joint directors, Jan Hunter and Rob, for tackling a far from easy play.

Dinnerladies is a comedy described as having "serious social undertones." Set in an office canteen. it follows the daily lives, loves, highs, lows and struggles of the canteen staff, and of others who kept popping in and out of a large and very realistic stage set.

Four episodes of the hit TV series had been adapted for the Stokesley stage and divided into two parts. Each of these was performed by different sets of players, several of whom doubled up their roles, although this in no way detracted from the effectiveness of a slick production which often had the audiences in stitches.

The humour never became offensive, and the first half of the show positively zipped along, carried by the earthy gossip and the frequent appearance on stage of some weird and eccentric characters.

The dialogue was always clear, and a number of brief intervals between scenes allowed time for the audience to digest a fast-moving plot in which a certain amount of over-acting became most acceptable.

Perhaps the play sagged a little in the middle of the second half, but this is a minor criticism. In general, the dinnerladies were "naturals," and the mere sight of characters such as the two Petulas was extremely funny.

The two male roles in a largely female cast were, however, lengthy and were carried with aplomb.

That said, this production was, above all, a team effort and all who contributed on or off stage can be well pleased with the results of what must have been much hard labour over many months.

The external examiner who attended one of the performances must have been impressed by the potential shown by yet another generation of Stokesley drama students.

The cast was: Katie Hardisty (Bren and Violet); Andrew Davison (Tony); Marysha Roffe (Dolly and Woman); Clara Whitlock (Jean and Tiffany); Jennie Park (Anita); Gemma Waters (Twinkle and Hilary); Thom Bilous (Stan, Norman, and the Veg Man); Helen Bateman Williams (Petula and Bev); Helen Denham (Philippa); Sara Zarel (Carmel, Anita and Connie); Fergus Kitching (Clint and Hugo); Diane Hall (secretary, Babs and Enid); Rebecca Hillam (Bren); Sophie Robinson (Dolly); Lauren Thomas (Jean); Georgina Docherty (Twinkle and Kirsty); Holly Vickers (Petula and Jim); Kate Wilkins (Philippa).

Backstage assistance was by Danny Greenhalgh and the school caretakers (the stage set), James Alderson (lighting), Peter Harbottle and James Reevell (sound), Darren and Scott (technical work), Stokesley School catering staff (advice and loan of kitchen equipment), Mary Longshaw and Sheila Bennett (catering), Cooplands (kitchen items), and Anne Livingstone (invaluable help).

The next public performances will be by the Stokesley School Shakespeare Company, which performs The Winter's Tale for the school's Shakespeare Festival, sponsored by the Royal Shakespeare Company, in October this year, followed by a production of Shakespeare's Pericles in 2004. - A J