Comedy act is just the breast

Breast cancer isn't usually associated with comedy, but John Paul College is giving it a go - and donating proceeds to the Breast Cancer Foundation.

Cheshire Cats, a play written by breast cancer survivor Gail Young, is about a group of women who take part in England's Moon Walk, an annual breast cancer fundraising event attracting about 17,000 people.

In the event, participants wear decorated bras as they walk past historical London sites such as Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. John Paul College head of drama and director Gabrielle Thurston said the play was a comedy - with a twist.

"It's a group of women going to the capital from Cheshire to raise money as a team.

"At the last minute, a substitute to the team comes in who doesn't meet the requirements - as it's a male. It is a comedy, but because it's breast cancer, there is a bit of a twist towards the end."

Mrs Thurston said the students had been keeping in contact with writer Gail Young while they were practising.

"Gail Young did the Moon Walk with a group of women and she came from Cheshire.

"She did the walk because her mother had breast cancer, then she ended up getting it herself and had to get a mastectomy and have chemotherapy. She's been sending us messages and writing to us about it, she gives half of her royalties to breast cancer as well."

Mrs Thurston said the drama students had been researching breast cancer and had discovered that each of them knew a relative or a friend who suffered from it.

"We've looked at the history of the Moon Walk and of breast cancer and the social consequences of breast cancer. We've had breast cancer survivors and doctors come in and talk to us."

Tickets for Cheshire Cats are on sale at the John Paul College office: students $8, adults $15.

The show will be held at the Casa Blanca Theatre at 8pm tomorrow and 2pm and 8pm on Saturday.