A TRUE life drama is always as good as, if not better than a playwright's drama and Yeadon Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society was presented with such a situation.

One of their up and coming young actors, Jamie Rogers, was to feature in 'When We Are Married' as Fred Dyson, the young reporter. However, he was struck down with glandular fever and has had to pull out. This meant trying to find a replacement, someone who could learn the part in just two weeks.

Their frantic search was rewarded when multi-talented Greg Silverwood, of NAPA, agreed to step in. Greg had just finished playing in his company's world premier production of an all-male cast of the comedy 'NunsenseA-Men'.

He said he was only too happy to help out the society taking over the role of Fred Dyson and at the same time supporting the chosen charity.

Greg is no stranger to YAODS where he has honed his stage skills performing in many of their musicals and plays and does justice to J B Priestley's classic farce 'When We Are Married'.

Audiences can expect an evening's entertainment of sparkling comedy and elegant costumes watching one of Priestley's best-loved plays.

The production is in support of the West Yorkshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre at the Airedale Centre, Rawdon,who do not receive any funding other than donations.

In support of this worthy cause the production is being sponsored by Betty's of Ilkley and Murgatroyds Fish and Chip Restaurant of Yeadon.

'When We Are Married' is being presented at Yeadon Town Hall from tonight,Thursday, until Saturday at 7.30pm each evening.

Tickets are priced at £8 (concessions £7) and can be obtained by telephoning 0113 250 5900.

Directed by the very tal-ented Kath Williams of Yeadon pantomime fame, this Yorkshire comedy tells the story of three couples gathered together to celebrate their joint 25th wedding anniversary. They settle down to enjoy the evening but as events unfold, it soon be-comes clear that everything is not as it seems.

What with the arrival of an organist who has been up to no good, a drunken photographer, a malicious gos-siping char lady and a flighty ex-barmaid of questionable morals, the laughs come thick and fast.

This classic Yorkshire com-edy has become one of J B Priestley's best-loved works.

Full of local references and colourful imagery of past times when everything seemed simpler but a lot more scandalous!

Pam Booth is playing Maria Helliwell. Pam, a long-standing member of the society, is very versatile playing many roles.

Pam is also an accomplished di-rector; she was the very successful director of the 2004 production of 'Happy Families'.

Tony Wade, who plays Al-derman Joseph Helliwell, last year was a newcomer to the society on loan (!) from Ilkley Players and Menston Thespians in the 2004 production of 'Happy Families'.

Tony was awarded best Supporting Actor in a Play for his role as Mr Bloom in

'Big Bad Mouse' at the Wharfedale Festival of Theatre, and he is still with YAODS!

James Martin is playing Gerald Forbes. James is becoming a regular having played the demanding role of John in last year's production of 'Happy Families'.

James's day job is an admin assistant but some observant readers may remember the many guises of James in the Society's production of 'Annie' - dog warden, policeman, ven-triloquist, etc, you name it, he played it!

James has taken to performing on stage like a pro-fessional and he is thoroughly enjoying himself.

Pam Beck, an Otley primary schoolteacher, is playing Annie Parker. Pam's return to the stage in the 2004 production of 'Happy Families', playing snobby Auntie Edna, was very welcome after a few years of doing a very sterling job behind the scenes with the props.

A member since 1969, Pam has enjoyed success in such diverse roles as Mrs Pearce in 'My Fair Lady' and Glenda Fraser in 'Stepping Out'.

She is an accomplished pianist and organist as was demonstrated by her role in 'Stepping Out'.

Barbara Catton plays Lottie Grady. A member since 1980, she played Mucky Auntie Doris in 'Happy Families'.

Barbara has appeared for the Society in many musicals, her favourites being the world premiere of 'A Tale of Two Cities' and 'Showboat'.