FORMER Coronation Street favourite Dr Matt Ramsden makes a return to the stage of The Octagon in what promises to be an exciting new season of plays.

Stephen Beckett, who played the two-timing doctor in the soap appeared in The Blue Room at The Octagon in 2000. This time he will be starring in Noel Coward's comic masterpiece, Private Lives, which will be staged from March 6 to April 5.

The Octagon has a special place in the soap star's heart, as it was there that he met the woman he is to marry. Stephen met wife-to-be Anna Brecon, who played Emmerdale's Lady Tara Thornfield, when the pair were cast opposite each other in The Blue Room. The controversial play saw both actors take to the stage naked. Anna returned to The Octagon last April in the drama Miss Julie.

And speaking of soap operas, The Octagon hosts its own weekly drama in its new programme. All the drama of a soap will be brought to life at the theatre. Except, the big difference with this particular drama is that the audience will determine the script!

Bradshawgate directed by Chris Sudworth is among the varied spring/summer bill. The improvised weekly show will be based around a regular cast, and the people watching will say what they think should happen next.

Mr John Blackmore, The Octagon's chief executive, said: "Chris pioneered this in the summer in Edinburgh. It is a living soap. Each week the audience will come back and be responsible for developing the script.

"It will be taking a risk, as the people watching will have ownership. But it should be great fun."

Moliere, Coward, and Mamet are just a few of the other distinguished names who feature in the forthcoming programme.

Here are the highlights.

Reunion -- an outrageous new comedy written and directed by John Godber and performed by his visiting Hull Truck Theatre Company (January 20 to 25);

The Hypochondriac -- Moliere's classic comedy will be the first of the season's Octagon productions. It is a new version of the play, with a Northern edge, by renowned translator Ranjit Bolt (January 30 to February 22);

Animal Farm -- George Orwell's powerful tale of an idealism betrayed by corruption is brought to life by Activ8's Youth Theatre (February 12 to 15);

Private Lives -- The Octagon's production of Noel Coward's classic will star Stephen Beckett, Coronation Street's Dr Matt Ramsden (March 6 to April 5);

Boston Marriage -- David Mamet is one of America's most celebrated and provocative dramatists and in this Octagon production play he conquers new territory with a humorous and witty comedy of manners set in a Victorian drawing room. (April 10 to May 3);

Bradshawgate -- This living soap will be performed by Activ8's Youth Theatre with audiences determining the script on a weekly basis (March 12, 19 and 26, and April 2);

Ham! -- An outrageous new play written by Mark Chatterton, who has previously starred on stage at The Octagon. This is a darkly comic musical play -- cheeky, bold, outrageous and brassy -- it is described as a League of Gentlemen-esque comedy;

Steel Magnolias -- This touching comedy drama, perhaps better known as a film starring Julia Roberts and Dolly Parton, is the last of the big Octagon productions for the season (June 5 to 28).

Other Activ8 productions complement the season, and there is a series of Children's Theatre Saturdays running all the way through. Comedy nights are also organised including Phoenix Nights' favourite Dave Spikey.

Further details about the full programme and tickets are from The Octagon box office on 520661.