A LOOK at the two starring actors currently in rehearsal at Bolton Octagon may lead you to believe they are appearing in "The Odd Couple".

The tall muscular presence of Joe Montana contrasts sharply against the small slight figure of Michael Glenn Murphy.

However, this is no little and large show, but a sentimental classic story in which both actors have the opportunity to stretch themselves.

John Steinbeck's classic play, "Of Mice and Men", runs until Saturday, February 23, and for both men the clever writing comes as a refreshing change.

In fact, the characters Lennie and George are being played by two actors who say they are fed up of being typecast as "a crook and a bodyguard", and "a priest, the terrorist or the tramp", respectively.

Joe said: "I am often cast as the bad guy. Lennie is not stereotypical and he gives me a chance to act instead of looking angry."

Michael, originally from Dublin, added: "Television particularly can be restraining. I find myself always being the priest, the terrorist or the tramp. The Irish accent does it."

Joe is originally from Amsterdam, moved to Canada, and then studied drama at the Guildford School of Acting in Surrey. He is based in London. This is his second appearance in the Steinbeck play.

He said: "I appeared in the play 12 years ago --it was my second job. In my first appearance we went shamelessly after the tears. That is not the case this time. If the writing is good enough you do not have to."

Michael added: "The writing is so beautiful. I do not think we are doing anything radical with the play, but we are going quite deeply into the text. As we go about it we are finding there are jokes and humour under the layers."

The timeless drama set in the late 1930s evokes the dustbowl life of migrant workers in the Californian agricultural belt during the Depression. Tickets for "Of Mice and Men" are on sale from Bolton 520661. However, Joe is not quite so sure. He said: "I never like television. I have loved doing films, but television, especially soaps, no. I always play the crook or the bodyguard and the pieces are so badly written that I am often this cliched character whose only direction is: 'Look angry Joe'."

George and Lennie share a dream, but when a tragic accident strikes their hopes and dreams are shattered and their whole existence is thrown into question.

"It is great when you get something of this quality to do.

"The tragedy, of course, undercuts all of that. Everyone knows the play is a tearjerker, but in all great plays there are moments of relief.