LOCAL people already looking for a star, or several stars, are being warned to get ready for a comedy of biblical proportions.

There will even be a camel or three, and folks in funny costumes, on some kind of weird quest.

And the stars will be Hugh Dennis, Lesley Garrett and John Marquez, who are promising “the funniest and most magical nativity you’ll ever see”.

A spokesman said: “Three towering talents play a cast of thousands in this new comedy by the writer of the Olivier Award-winning West End hit The 39 Steps as Patrick Barlow’s ‘ The Messiah’ tours the UK this autumn.

“It open at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on October 15, before touring to New Theatre, Cardiff; Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield; Cheltenham Everyman Theatre; Theatre Royal, Brighton and Richmond Theatre.”

The spokesman added: “A travelling theatre troupe of two actors and an opera singer are set to arrive on camel back in venues across the UK to masterfully enact the greatest story ever told.

“Join the absurdly talented Maurice Rose (Hugh Dennis), the alarmingly unpredictable Ronald Bream RAC (John Marquez), and the distinguished diva Mrs Doreen Small (Lesley Garrett), in a hilarious Christmas comedy that conjures up the sublime, the ridiculous and the truly angelic.

“Joseph, Mary, the Archangel Gabriel, Herod, God and an ox are all authentically portrayed in this vibrant comedy weaving visual invention with a hint of the divine.

“The Messiah is a love letter to theatre, theology and the great man himself.”

Hugh Dennis is one of Britain’s best loved comics; Lesley Garrett CBE is Britain’s best-known soprano, and John Marquez is best known for his role as PC Joe Penhale in the hit ITV Comedy series, Doc Martin

The run in Brum will be from October 18 to October 27. Tickets: 0121 236 4455.

A run at the Everyman in Cheltenham will be from November 19 to November 24.

Tickets: 01242 572573 and at:

www.everymantheatre.org.uk