QUARRY bank born playwright and filmmaker David Tristram doesn't fail to deliver with his latest stage offering.

Women on Top is a celebration of strong female characters that have made Britain great - and not so great.

The hilarious one-woman show, which packed out Bridgnorth's Theatre on the Steps on Friday and Saturday, sees Black Country actress Gill Jordan spoofing iconic figures from former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to Florence Nightingale to Her Majesty The Queen.

Britain's Got Talent contestants, BBC newscasters and TV presenters including Nigella Lawson and Tony Robinson (and even American crime dramas) are also mimicked wonderfully during the rip-roaring original comedy show which combines live theatre and video projection.

But the character everyone had turned out to see was the delightfully drawn Doreen Tipton, who was first seen bemoaning her life on benefits on a YouTube clip that went viral.

The video spawned the sell-out Audience With Doreen stage show, plus a book and plans for a movie - and insatiable interest in the character led creator David Tristram to devise Women on Top in order to satisfy Doreen fans ahead of the film's completion.

Brilliant as the 'lazy cow' character is - and she's clearly developing a life of her own - Jordan is clearly not a one trick pony.

Able to send up a multitude of famous names with ease - the versatile performer from Walsall holds this latest show together with professionalism and gusto.

She's equally fabulous as the Iron Lady and Doreen. Her comic timing is first rate, and her diction and delivery a delight.

In fact - Jordan's natural rapport with the audience as Doreen would make the first lady of the state a great stand-up character - and an even greater sitcom character. TV executives take note!

The popularity of the fictitious benefits cheat, however, isn't solely down to the 47-year-old talented thespian's impeccable performances.

Writer David Tristram, creator of the Inspector Drake plays and films, is the comedy genius behind the scenes - able to litter a script with wit and wry socio political comment that keeps audience members grinning from ear to ear.

Women on Top is touring a host of venues across the Midlands during March and April but most shows have now sold out. Tickets remain only for The Dovehouse Theatre, Solihull, on March 11 and The rose Theatre, Rugeley, on April 4.

To book or find out more go to www.doreen.tv

Bev Holder