YOUNG butcher Darren Southworth looks as though he is in for the chop in "Ham!" -- the Octagon's next production.

Darren who plays the character Paul, is under the watchful eye of cleaver-wielding master butcher Bob, played by Octagon favourite Claude Close. The plot centres on the lechery and treachery that lays behind the loins of pork at the Broadbent's family butchers shop.

Ham! is the first play of Mark Chatterton -- it was performed as a reading at the Wyndham Theatre by Jack Dee and Tim Healy.

Claude has a long association with the Octagon gong back to 1980. The cast includes previous Octagon visitors Darren and Vincent Penfold. The play will introduce newcomers, Bolton actress Julie Westwood and Matt Healy. Catch Ham! from Thursday, May 8, to Saturday, May 31.