BOLTON Catholics Musical and Choral Society Youth Theatre celebrates its 21st Birthday this year with its 2006 production Honk.

And one of the award-winning group's stars has taken a role in front of the stage, rather than on it.

Musical director James Eccleshare is more famous on the stage, having starred in many successful Bolton amateur shows, most recently as The Arbiter in the critically acclaimed and award-winning BCMCS production of Chess in October 2005. James has been performing in musical shows in and around Bolton since the age of 10, and has taken lead roles in many productions including Jesus Christ Superstar, Hello Dolly and Oklahoma, which won the Bolton Evening News Best Musical award last year.

Despite being in demand for his technical skills, James has no intention of taking a back seat when it comes to the limelight.

He said: "Nothing will ever, ever stop me performing, that is certain. James has also written and produced some of his own shows, one of which, Paradisium, performed by Walmsley Youth Theatre, opens in July.

He said: "It started with an idea from my brother, and I developed it into a musical show.

"In simplest terms, it is about strange creatures in a garden that come to life. It is a childrens' musical fantasy. I'm looking forward to it."

He is joined in Honk by choreographer Angela Murphy and director Kathryn Wilkinson who is a veteran of all 21 years of the Youth Theatre Productions.

Honk is based on the story of the Ugly Duckling.

Kathryn said: "It's a fabulous show with foot-tapping tunes and a host of colourful characters Ugly meets on his coming-of-age journey to find true love and that all-important happy ending."

The show is presented at Theatre Church on Seymour Road, Astley Bridge from March 16 to 18.

Tickets are available from Pat Grady on 01204 856977.