Martin Levinson, partner and commercial property specialist based at TBI Solicitors' Wynyard offices, is appearing as Mr Shanks, a bra salesman and fitter, in Newcastle Jewish Players' production of Alan Bennett's farce, Habeas Corpus.

Anthony Josephs, partner at Gosforth-based RMT, is appearing as Sir Percy Shorter in the play. His wife, Marta, will also appear in the production as Lady Rumpers, and RMT Medical Specialist Partner Mike Gilbert plays the suicidal Mr Purdue.

Mr Levinson said: “This is one of Bennett's earlier plays, shedding light on the conflict between traditional English values and the permissive society of 1970s Britain. My character's challenge is to help out a flat-chested character with her desire to be more buxom. As you can imagine, it's quite a ‘hands on' role!”

Habeas Corpus tells the tale of a Brighton GP, Arthur Wicksteed, who is trapped in a loveless marriage. His seemingly respectable family are undone by their promiscuity, both past and present.

Mr Levinson added: “Taking to the stage has been a hobby of mine since childhood, and I've appeared with the Newcastle Jewish Players a number of times. Over the years, our productions have raised tens of thousands of pounds for regional charities. This year we were unanimous in choosing the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation as the main beneficiary.”

Anthony added: “It is fantastic to be able to do our bit towards raising funds for such a worthwhile charity. We have had tremendous fun performing plays ranging from Arthur Miller's Broken Glass, Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood and several Neil Simon plays, as well as some we wrote ourselves.

“Sir Perry Shorter is president of the BMA and rather pompous, so it has been quite a challenge for me to play the part!”

Habeas Corpus will be performed at the Royal Grammar School Theatre, Newcastle, on Wednesday 20^th, Thursday 21^st and Saturday 23^rd January, 2010, at 7.30pm each evening. Additional funds will be donated to Newcastle WIZO, a Jewish women's movement which provides a voice on human rights issues, raises concerns relating to the status of women and supports under-privileged families.

TBI Solicitors is the Tees Valley's leading law firm, with offices in Wynyard Park, Hartlepool, Stockton on Tees and Barnard Castle. It has a multi-disciplinary business law team, based at Wynyard Park, offering expertise in a number of fields including mergers acquisitions and disposals, commercial property, intellectual property and dispute resolution.

RMT Accountants and Business Advisors is led by six partners with expertise in advising owner managed business, auditing and accounting, tax, healthcare, corporate finance, recovery and insolvency, IT consultancy, wealth management, corporate planning, employee benefits and personal finance. It was established in 1954 as Robert Miller Tate & Co and employs over 85 people.