THE play might be called "Dead Funny", but audiences will not know whether to laugh or cry.

That is the promise of actress Sherry Baines who pays her third visit to Bolton Octagon in two years.

And she she says her previous visits to Bolton have been the real highlight of her tours. She stars as Eleanor in the Terry Johnson comedy and says she is looking forward to visiting the town.

Sherry explains: "The audiences in Bolton have been terrific. I have been to the Octagon twice in the past two years with touring productions.

"Each time Bolton has been a real highlight. Audiences in the town are very forthcoming about whether they are enjoying something or not."

The play has already enjoyed a spell in York, where Eleanor says it went down well. She said: "I think Dead Funny is quite similar to some of Ayckbourn's plays in that it is funny, bitter and very moving. York audiences did not know whether they would be laughing or crying at the next scene. It turns on a knife edge.

"My character is aware of her biological clock ticking, but her husband is turned off sex. Meanwhile, he is hiding from their problems by focusing on his love of dead comedians in his role as chairman of the Dead Funny.

"His friends join him in shock when both Benny Hill and Frankie Howerd die within days of one another. But it has to be said they too are a slightly weird bunch.

"There are lots of laughter and tears and this should be especially so in Bolton where the stage is much closer to the audience."

Dead Funny runs until Saturday, June 8, 7.30pm nightly.

For tickets telephone 01204 520661.