LIFE is a Cabaret for members of one amateur Bolton theatre group. They are not only staging the famous musical -- but almost living it.

When members of Bolton Catholic Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society took to the stage on Tuesday few will realise the lengths to which they have had to go to ensure the authenticity of the show.

Bemused cast members initially turned up for rehearsals -- and found they were left struggling to understand just what producer Judith Stamford was talking about.

The experienced producer's stage directions were not the problem -- it was just the language she was conveying them in. For true authenticity, Judith expected the cast to learn a smattering of German.

The show runs until Saturday at the Albert Halls, Bolton, 7.15pm. Cabaret was made famous in the film starring Liza Minnelli. The story is set in Berlin before the Second World War, as the Nazis gain power, against a backdrop of seedy clubs.

In a further attempt for greater authenticity Judith hopes to launch an assault against all the senses, by creating the right ambience through smell.

Judith said: "Cheap perfume and stale beer is the smell we were after. Smell is very evocative and should help create the seedy type of atmosphere we need. It is these little details which can make all the difference. For example, during that time we know that Customs officers would mark suitcases, but I needed to find out exactly how and using what material.

"These are all things the audiences take for granted. But if we get something wrong, someone is bound to notice.

"That is why I decided to hold the first rehearsal in German. There are crowd scenes in the Kit Kat Club in which there will be a buzz of people talking, and I think it would be perfect to have that in German."

Tickets for the show are from 01204 302602 or 01942 876687.