TAKE a bow, Peter Luff.

It has long been the view that MPs and actors have much in common.

Both have to play to the crowd and remember their lines or line.

Now Mr Luff is attempting to bridge the gap altogether.

Because he has just been appointed vice-chairman of the Parliamentary All-Party Theatre Group.

And he is very much looking forward to the task in hand.

" always said that if I couldn't be in an MP, I would've wanted to be an actor or a vicar! he said.

There will, of course, be numerous free trips to the West End on offer.

But Mr Luff is unlikely to be able to take advantage.

His job as a whip means that he is often forced to stay late at the Commons to make sure MPs remember to vote.

I think I would soon tire of only seeing the final act, he mused.