IF you ever wondered who wears the trousers, then singer, actress and cabaret star, Rose Collis might have a few surprises up her trouser leg when she performs her award-winning cabaret at Taunton Library.

Trouser-Wearing Characters is the first ever musical cabaret show written and performed by a British female author. This original entertainment, written and performed by Rose is a unique mixture of music, history and comedy.

It combines stories, vignettes and songs about some of her favourite, eclectic LGBT trouser-wearing characters, from Nancy Spain to Colonel Barker, stage legend Dougie Byng to the lady herself, Coral Browne.

The show is part of an Arts Council-funded tour for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History Month.

"I am thrilled to be taking Trouser-Wearing Characters on its first full-scale regional UK tour and deeply grateful to Arts Council England for funding it," said Rose.

"I chose to take the show to public libraries as I felt it would appeal to a more diverse audience who prefer to attend cultural events there rather than theatres, and I thank all the library services who have greeted the show with enormous enthusiasm and support."

Rose's diverse talks and lectures have included sell-out events at the Royal National Theatre, the National Film Theatre, the Edinburgh Book Festival, the Brighton Festival, World Book Night, Polari on the South Bank, LGBT History Month, West London Literary Festival, Brighton Museum, Charleston, Bishopsgate Institute London and the University of Brighton.

Cllr David Hall, cabinet member with a responsibility for Somerset Libraries said: “Somerset County Council are proud to support LGBT History Month and to promote equality for our LGBT community. This play looks set to be a witty and funny piece of entertainment and I would encourage everyone to try to see it.”

The performance takes place at 6.30pm, on Wednesday, February 17 at Taunton Library, Paul Street.

All tickets are £5, bookable online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/rosecollis, or can be paid for on the door.

The performance will be followed by an informal Q&A sessions with Rose and opportunities to buy her books. For more information about the show and Rose Collis, please visit www.rosecollis.com.

Throughout LGBT History Month (in February) the Library Service will also have a display of LGBT books available to borrow.