FATHERS of teenage daughters are perhaps used to being sidelined in favour of boyfriends, music, make-up and fashion.

Not so at Honley Players where father and daughter David and Hannah Barnes are working together in the pantomime Dick Whittington.

They reflect their real-life relationship to play Alderman Fitzwarren and his daughter Alice.

When David, who is vicar of Honley, moved to the village nine years ago, he was expected to play a central role in village life. It goes with the job.

But few could perhaps have expected that the vicar of St Mary’s would become such a stalwart of the village’s amateur dramatic society.

He said “At my previous parish in Milnrow, I was practically expected to take part in the plays as the drama society was attached to the church.

“But in 2002 – when Graeme Allan the producer of Puss In Boots came to church for divine intervention as he needed someone to play King Bulbo – it was an opportunity to get more involved locally.”

David obviously enjoyed his appearance in that Honley Players’ production at Southgate Theatre, because the following year he was joined in the cast by his son Tim and then, four years ago, by his daughter, Hannah.

For the Honley society’s loyal fans, there will be still more familiar faces in this year’s show which opens on Friday.

Louise Leggett continues to make the journey to Honley for rehearsals from the Illingworth area.

It’s reckoned she’s clocked up 800 miles in recent works just to play principal boy in the show.

For Susan Armitage, her journey to play Dame has been much simpler. She’s only had to get to the theatre from the other end of village – a round trip she’s been making to appear in the Players’ panto for more than 25 years.

Robert Pogson plays her son Idle Jack, while Janette Ward is Tom the Cat.

Father and son Dennis and Mark Thewlis swap roles this year with Dennis in charge of the production while Mark plays King Rat.

Diana Hoyle is the assistant producer.

Performances are on Friday and Saturday evening at 7.15pm with the run starting again on the following Tuesday and running all week. Evening shows are at 7.15pm with Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. For tickets ring 01484 662378.