A CONGREGATION is soon to see their parish priest in a way they never have before - as a pantomime dame.

Father Alan Sheridan is swapping his dog collar and clergyman's suit for the frock and cap of the all-singing all-dancing Nurse Nelly.

He will also appear as Julie Andrews and Icelandic pop star Bjork in the production of Snow White and the Magnificent Seven.

The pantomime, on Teesside, is designed to raise money for local causes and laughs for the audience.

Known as Father Alan by his combined Yarm and Ingleby Barwick congregation, the chuckling cleric was known as the naughtiest student at the Rome seminary where he trained for the priesthood because of his comic capers.

He said: "I was called that because of my laughing at the wrong time, and because I like to laugh and joke and to generally puncture pomposity."

The priest for the parish of St Mary and St Romuald said of his flock: "They already think I am mad and this will just confirm what they think."

Fr Sheridan, from South Bank, near Middlesbrough, has taken walk-on parts in parish productions over the years, and said: "It started off with bit-parts, but then they decided to promote me to pantomime dame, possibly for the advertising potential."

He is one of a cast of 19 in the show, which is being staged at St Patrick's School, in Baysdale Road, Thornaby, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Proceeds from tickets sales will be divided between St Patrick's School and the parish.

Tickets are £4 for an adult, and £12 for a family of two adults and two children.

Published: 31/01/2005