THE Sixties are swinging back into life in a new touring stage production coming to Bolton.

Lightning Under Their Skirts, written by a former Cheshire Poet Laureate, will be entertaining audiences at the Barlow in Edgworth tomorrow.

The show stars Eccleston actress Josie Cerise and is currently touring with the Spot On Lancashire, which brings professional theatre, dance, music and family shows to rural venues across the county.

Josie said: “I have never done anything like this kind of show before, it is really exciting, nostalgic and still relevant to audiences today. The performance is a real event in real community venues and we really want everyone from the community to come and celebrate and get a taste of the 60s.

“I love doing small community venues. The connection with the audience is a lot better. I love doing that kind of theatre. It is also close to home so it will be great for me as I have family and friends coming along to support.”

Josie is known for her work on the CBeebies show Grandpa in my Pocket and as Mini Ha Ha in the BAFTA-nominated Ha Ha Hairies. She also played Gollum in The Hobbit at Lancaster’s The Dukes Theatre.

Her latest show is written by 2005 Cheshire Poet Laureate Joy Winkler who describes it as a ‘real celebration of all things 60s’.

Speaking ahead of the show in which she also stars, Winkler who lives in Macclesfield but whose father was from Wigan, said: “I got the idea for the new show from old photos and family memories of Saturday night dances in 1960s Barnsley where I grew up. It’s set in 1961, Gary wants to borrow a few bob off his sister Sandy to go dancing – and that’s where the trouble starts!

“Expect singing, flirting, fighting, making up, typing on old typewriters, best friends, the stealing of lipsticks, jealousy, fear, and lies – family tensions as real now as then.”

The story is about two siblings who want to escape their humdrum mother-dominated lives in an end terrace rife with secrets and lies.

It is rounded off with an evening of music from the actors where audiences are invited to join in - including a quiz - or just sit back and enjoy the music.

Josie, who stars alongside Joy and Harvey Robinson, adds: “You go back to the 60s play songs from the era – which we have put our own twist on.

“It’s a brilliant play to be part of and even though it is a different era, there are so many themes relevant now.

“I play the young daughter who you see transform from shy and quite to her own person by the end of the play.”

Lightning under their Skirts is a Storm in the North production in association with Action Transport Theatre. Supported by The National Lottery through Arts Council England.