The Lonesome West, Octagon, runs til November 30 - ACTORS Michael Glenn Murphy and Peter Dineen are the best of enemies . . .

The pair star in The Octagon Theatre's latest production as brothers who cannot stand one another.

But do not be fooled!

Peter said: "We actually get on very well -- and that helps when it comes to portraying the characters on stage. It would be a lot harder to hate one another on stage if we really did not like each other."

Confused? Well, the play in question, The Lonesome West, is billed as Tarantino meets Father Ted!

Michael explained: "All the humour in this play is very dark. It is very dark with a definite edge."

The play is set in Ireland and written by Irish writer Martin McDonagh. Michael said: "I enjoy doing the comedy. It is more challenging for an actor. You can not try to make the audience laugh, you have to play your character and hope it will be funny."

Peter added: "If the rehearsals are anything to go by laughter should not be a problem."

In fact, Peter admitted: "I did not think I would get the part when at the audition I just fell about laughing -- the lines were just so funny. Some of the lines still catch me unawares."

The play is set in Leenane, Galway, and tells the story of brothers Valene and Coleman, played by Michael and Peter respectively, who live together in their father's house following his recent demise.

Both equally competitive and stubborn, they find it almost impossible to get along, and the most mundane and harmless of discussions spiral into sadistic and often very funny disputes.

Michael appeared at The Octagon earlier this year in Of Mice and Men, but although this is Peter's first appearance at the theatre, his face may well appear familiar -- particularly to fans of television programme, The Bill. He has appeared in the programme as SEVEN different characters.

He said: "I had thought I was working my way up. I started as small time villains, then appeared as a security officer, my next character was as a private detective, then I was a sergeant with the Thames River police . . . I then thought, here we go, I will be superintendent next.

"But no -- my next part in the programme was as a wino. What a comedown."

However, Peter did reach new heights when he stepped into a commercial -- as a last minute replacement to the former Russian president, Gorbachev.

He explained: "It was at the time Gorbachev started appearing in adverts for Pizza Hut. He was booked in to do a commercial for pasties in Oslo. He said yes to it but did not realise he was supposed to play the President of the Ukraine in the advert. When he did realise he immediately pulled out. I was chosen to replace him and flown out to Oslo."

The Lonesome West, which is set "in the round" will run from Thursday to Saturday, November 30, 7.30pm. Tickets are from 520661.