WHEN Jean Fergusson walked on the Octagon stage last night the audience burst into applause before she opened her mouth. It was a tribute to the actress's appearance and mannerisms which make her look uncannily like the late Farnworth-born comedienne Hylda Baker. When Fergusson spoke, the illusion was complete. Fergusson has been a long time bringing her one-woman show to Bolton, but it was well worth the wait.

Written by Fergusson, the production opens with Hylda in a hospital bed. In flashback, she recalls her tough climb to the top at the expense of her private life.

We see her as a lonely figure in her dressing room talking about her pet monkeys and her dog. Fergusson allows us to see behind the cantankerous bully to the vulnerable and insecure woman which Baker was.

It is a tremendous performance. Such is Fergusson's interpretation, it is impossible to imagine anyone else playing Hylda.

Fergusson's timing is impeccable and her Bolton accent is spot-on. Her depiction of the comedienne goes well beyond impersonation.

While Hylda emerges as a sad figure, there are lots of laughs in the show as Fergusson tells jokes grimacing wildly and hitching up her bosom as the diminutive comedienne did.

She introduces us to to the silent Cynthia - although there is no-one else on stage - and becomes increasingly outrageous about her companion's accomplishments.

The humour is sometimes bawdy, as was Hylda, and the famous malapropisms come thick and fast.

Three years ago after I saw Fergusson as Hylda at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, I said the show had to come to Bolton.

Don't miss it now it's here. DOREEN CROWTHER

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