FRANCIE and Friends. What else would you call a show where Doreen France gathers together some of her many friends and says: “It’s show time.”

Doreen is well-known for her theatre work but she’s also known for her fund-raising efforts for charity.

And next week, she and her team return to the Lawrence Batley Theatre with another show packed with music, song, comedy and dance.

An Evening With Doreen France and Friends returns to the theatre on January 27 for three performances which spread over Friday and Saturday.

The two evening shows are at 7.15pm with the Saturday matinee at 2.15pm.

Peter Armitage, who has compered these bumper charity nights for years, has another engagement next week. At Buckingham Palace.

The compere’s job has passed smoothly into the capable hands of Michael Hellawell.

Michael has appeared in shows across the region and directed many others. He’s worked with both Doreen and Peter for years.

Mr Armitage hopes (trains permitting) to be on stage at the LBT for the two Saturday performances.

He should by then have the MBE which he was awarded in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in recognition of his services to amateur theatre in West Yorkshire. But it won’t make him take life any more seriously or stop telling jokes.

Doreen has brought together a company of performers from across the area, many of them from the amateur operatic companies that she has worked with over the years as actress, choreographer and director.

Many will be familiar faces to those who go to local shows and concerts.

Richard Cook, Diane Robinson and Norman Mellor are all well known and much admired singers. All three are back for this concert.

Norman sings with and is chairman of Honley Male Voice Choir and he too raises money for many charities often with the help of Richard and Diane in a singing group called Reflections.

There will be a warm welcome too for the return of a singer known only by her stage name of Michaela who sings with a big band as well as a solo artist.

Malcolm Payne, much involved with theatre in Marsden, returns to do a piece about “Cigs and chips” and there will be more fun from Michael Hellawell, Sue Gledhill, Rob Pogson, Christina Jagger, Chris Comber and Charlie Wilson in a comedy sketch piece called, The Operatic Society Committee Meeting.

The Doreen France Dancers will be strutting their stuff and the whole idea is to raise money for charities close to the company’s hearts.

This year the charities include the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice; Small Steps, a parents’ support group based at the Ellerslie Centre at the Princess Royal Community Health Centre; plus Operation Smile which funds cleft palate operations for children.

For tickets, call the LBT box office on 01484 430528.