Life story of vicar who used to be a comedian to be a film?
AVICAR who likens his work spreading the word of God to his former career as a comedian could have his life story made into a film.
Lawrie Adam, 80, from Cheadle, worked with big names in the world of light entertainment such as Ken Dodd and Max Bygraves in the 1960s and 70s.
But, after staying in a Christian hotel following a performance, he read a religious book left in his room and went through a ‘conversion experience.’
He then became a vicar and recently released a book called From Stage to Pulpit. He is currently negotiating with a production company over the film rights to it.
Lawrie, of Dryden Avenue, said: “People say how do you go from showbiz to being a vicar but they are similar.
“You go into a dressing room put a costume on, there’s music and you go up to the mike to entertain and inform - but with a serious theological side.
“I was very surprised people wanted to make my story into a film; it’s amazing and I can’t get my head around it, but it’s very flattering.”
Lawrie, who has a wife, Wendy, 76, two daughters and four grandchildren, retired from being a fulltime vicar in 2000.
But he still works part time with St Alban’s Church in Offerton, a popular destination.
His conversion happened in 1976 on a trip to perform in the Isle of Man.
Lawrie, who was a comedian, accordionist and magician, had not wanted to go, because during a previous trip to the island a few years earlier there had been a fatal fire at the entertainment venue Summerland.
But he was persuaded and after his show he would need to read to help get to sleep.
In the Christian hotel the only reading material was a theological book called Good News for the Modern Man and Lawrie saw the light.
He said: “I couldn’t put it down and various emotions were triggered. A weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I couldn’t ignore it.
“I had always been a cynic, a real prove it then I’ll believe it person. I flew back from the Isle of Man a very different person to the one who had flown there.”
Lawrie will tour the country with his book and is at St Mary’s Church, Stockport Market Place, on June 6.