THE work of one of Britain’s most celebrated playwrights is being brought to life in Bolton.

Audiences have enjoyed Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads series at the Octagon, and can now have a chance to see his comedy work.

The Marco Players will be opening the new season of theatre with Habeas Corpus.

The farce is set in a Brighton doctor’s house.

Marco’s Jason Crompton directs and takes on the lead role, GP Arthur Wicksteed - first portrayed by Alec Guinness when the play premiered in London back in 1973.

Jason said: “It’s not Alan Bennett as you might think of him, but it’s very, very funny.

“I’ve wanted to do this play for a while but struggled to find someone to play Wicksteed. So in the end I’ve had to play him myself.”

The Latin title is a legal term meaning ‘You may have the body’ and refers to the hidden desires of the characters, hinting at the play’s saucy seaside humour.

In another unusual casting choice, Peter Haslam will play cleaner Mrs Swabb.

He explains: “This isn’t pantomime at all, but Mrs Swabb is written as a sort of a comic book narrator so having a man play her in drag is very much the style of the piece – in fact Alan Bennett played the part himself in the original production.

“It’s made it all the more interesting. I’ve directed and acted in a play myself and it brings you much closer to the whole thing.”

Millie Kenworthy plays the young Felicity Rumpers - the object of Arthur’s desire - opposite college friend and newcomer Dean Dixon Foster as Dennis Wicksteed - Arthur’s son.

She adds: “We’ve really enjoyed being in this together. Because it’s so funny it’s brought everyone closer together in the cast.”

Habeas Corpus runs from September 20 to 23 at Stepping Stones Nursery in Chorley Old Road. To book tickets call 01204 841561 or 07756 510462 or visit www.themarcoplayers.net.