BIRDS Of A Feather star Lesley Joseph heads to Wirral later this month in a musical comedy looking at the ups and downs of life of four ordinary women.

Lesley - known to millions as Dorien Green in the hit BBC comedy that was recently revived on ITV - reprises her role as Myra in musical comedy Hot Flush at the Floral Pavilion on Wednesday, April 30.

The show promises to take audiences on a hilarious journey which delves into friendships, the secrets, the laughter and tears and the ups and downs of four ordinary women. Playing the show's 15 male characters is Matt Slack.   

Lesley said: "I've done it twice before, and I just couldn’t resist doing it again. It has gone down so well with audiences.

"It’s the only show I’ve ever done where on the first night we overran by 15 minutes because there were so many laughs.

"Of course, that could have just been me overplaying it! It’s a hybrid show - it’s got music, drama, stand-up and revue. But the main thing is that it’s very, very funny."

On the show's appeal, she continued: "Its sense of humour is very near the knuckle and that really appeals.

"It's part of a genre of theatre that connects with hormonal housewives and hen parties."

Myra, a successful barrister, is one of the show’s four female characters whose personal lives fall into disarray. Her husband leaves her for another woman.

Describing her character in the show, Lesley said: "Myra is middle-aged and frustrated. Her husband has gone off with a bimbo, and so, like a lot of women her age, she's trying to find a new life for herself.

"She's wisecracking, but also vulnerable. You have to let the audience see different layers to a character."

On the show’s appeal, Lesley said: "People might be snobby about Hot Flush! But it's great entertainment, and it sends audiences out with a smile on their faces.

"They've left their troubles behind and had a wonderful night out.

"It's a 'let your hair down' show, and above all, it’s laugh out loud funny.

"When you watch it, it blows your head off. Watching Hot Flush! is like having a Hot Flush!

"I’ve loved it. I may not be the greatest singer in the world, but I can sell a song. I've previously starred in The Boyfriend and Thoroughly Modern Millie, so I know my way round a musical."

Lesley played neighbour from hell Dorien in Birds of a Feather, alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson.

The series ran for nine years on the BBC and was watched, at its height, by 20 million people. In January the cast was reunited when the series returned to ITV 1.

On the show’s revival, Lesley said: "There will always be people who say, "For God’s sake, why did you bring it back?" You’ll always have lovers and haters.

"But you can’t spend your life worrying about what other people think. Some people won’t like my work, but many people will.

"All I know is that every day I walk down the street and someone stops me to say 'Thank you for making me laugh'.

"Those people are delighted that Birds of a Feather is back."

Tickets for Hot Flush! are from www.floralpavilion.com or the box office on 0151 666 0000.