WHAT could be easier than pretending to be a man in a dress?

The answer, it seems, is actually being a man in a dress and when Rob Leetham steps on stage he will be exactly that.

Next month, Leetham - a professional actor who has lived in Worcester for the past 10 years - will play Lord Fancourt Babberly in New Century Theatre Company's production of Charley's Aunt at Droitwich's Norbury Theatre.

"It is a lot of fun," said Leetham, aged 34.

"Last year, I auditioned for a part in New Century's production of Barefoot In The Park. This year, they invited me back to play Babberly and it's great."

Babberly is a champagne-swilling, debt-ridden flirt who is enlisted by his friends Charley Wykeham and Jack Chesney to pose as Charley's Aunt, giving them opportunity to woo their sweethearts.

"Thankfully, the script doesn't call for me to be feminine," said Leetham.

"So I can use the awkwardness of being in a dress to my advantage.

Written by Brandon Thomas, Charley's Aunt was first performed in 1892. The original London run was a record-breaking 1,466 performances long and it has continued to delight audiences ever since.

New Century was formed by Powick resident Bill Bowen and his producer daughter Jenny Rigby in 2000.

For tickets to see Charley's Aunt at the Norbury on Friday, March 7, call the box office on 01905 770154, or the company on 01527 852070.