In the mid-Twentieth Century comedy writing was the domain of men, such as Barry Cryer, Barry Took, Marty Feldman and Galton and Simpson.

Writer Carla Lane’s sitcoms, The Liver Birds, Butterflies and Bread, saw a shift in the usually male-dominated genre.

Thanks to Victoria Wood, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, among others, there has been an increase in successful female comedy writers in recent years.

Isle of Wight writer Cheryl May was inspired by such writers and did a degree in writing and publishing at Middlesex University.

With a passion for comedy writing, Cheryl is a prolific writer, with over 120 published scripts under her pen name Cheryl Barrett.

Her comedy sketches, plays, monologues and pantomimes have been staged in 22 countries to date.

Closer to home, Trinity Theatre in Cowes has been the venue for her comedy plays, most recently It Never Rains But It Pours, published by Lazy Bee Scripts, and If The Fetes Allow.

Cheryl said: "It has been my absolute joy to direct the very talented cast of actors in these two plays, some of whom I have worked with before and others who are treading the Trinity Theatre boards for the first time.

"As writer of both scripts, it has made my job of directing so much easier, as I have been able to tweak the script when I think of something else to add.”

The first of those plays also highlighted Trinity Theatre’s roof appeal fund.

It was Cheryl’s third time of directing at Trinity Theatre and she feels privileged to be part of its long history, with Cowes Amateur and Operatic Dramatic Society (CAODS).

“CAODS is 126 years old this year and is the second oldest amateur theatre group in the UK.

"That is testament to those involved on stage, behind the scenes and the audiences who continue to support them.”

Cheryl recently won the County Press Shield, an IW Townwomen's Guild tradition, for her reports submitted to the paper.

Cheryl is enthusiastic about encouraging others to develop and hone their writing skills and started The Write Place, a writing group who meet at Freshwater Library.

The group’s first collection of short stories was published last year.

She also writes articles and theatre reviews for Sardines Magazine for amateur theatre and continues to write and perform her comedy sketches and poetry at Isle of Wight venues.

Cheryl’s latest project was a comedy murder mystery, Blue Murder On The Blue Yonder, for Curtain Up drama group, performed this week.