The name Deborah McAndrew might be more familiar to viewers of Coronation Street rather than theatre goers.

That’s because McAndrew is perhaps better known as "Angie Freeman" the part she played in the early 1990s for four years in the show.

But perhaps few people are aware of her secondary career as one of Britain’s most acclaimed contemporary playwrights.

And it’s her bitter-sweet comedy Flamingoland that provides Bolton Little Theatre with their next production which opens today.

“It’s a lovely big-hearted play,” says director Carol Butler, “and we’ve all really enjoyed rehearsing it. And I think ‘bitter-sweet’ is a pretty accurate description.”

She added: "Since it touches on some very serious themes – but without a doubt the humour shines through all the time.”

The play is set in Yorkshire where Mari is coming to terms with some devastating news.

But rather than crumble, as many people might, she knows she has to get her affairs in order.

“She’s a no-nonsense woman,” says Lindsay Farnworth who plays Mari, “there’s no doubt about that. And it’s her strength that keeps the family together really.”

She sets about assembling her family around her: daughter Kathleen, sister Bridie and Bridie’s daughter Sadie.

“At first we all wondered what the title had to do with the play,” says Catherine Henderson who plays Bridie, “I think it’s only mentioned once or twice – but it has to do with family memories and trips to Flamingoland which are resurrected as Mari goes through all of her belongings in a big clear-out.”

The cast is completed by Catherine Cropper and Emily Hill who play cousins Kathleen and Sadie, and Adam Green who plays pest exterminator "Dave2 who is called in to rid Mari’s house of unwanted rodents. And who, despite his job, turns out to have a bigger heart than any of the family realised.

Catherine is impressed by the way McAndrew has written their character.

“It’s great for an actress to have such well defined characters to play with,” says Catherine, “especially since one of them has a secret she’s never told anyone.”

But it’s the truth that Mari herself is carrying round with her that’s in danger of spilling out. Can she? Should she, tell her family?

‘Flamingoland’ runs from Saturday, May 20 to Saturday, May 27 at 7:30 pm (and including a matinee on Sunday 21st at 2 pm) at Bolton Little Theatre, Hanover Street, Bolton BL1 4TG. For tickets visit www.boltonlittletheatre.co.uk or ring 01204 524469.