BOLTON Little Theatre brings the Jewish-American humour of Ivan Menchell’s The Cemetery Club to our main stage next week.

The story follows the lives of three widows who are coming to terms with their loss in their own unique way. They meet at the cemetery where their husbands are buried, sharing their observations of their lives. This is the unofficial ‘club’ of the title.

The three friends, although at face value at the same point in their lives, certainly don’t share the same outlook: Doris remains fiercely devoted to her late husband and takes her responsibilities as a widow seriously. Lucille though is eager to take revenge against her late husband, who often cheated on her, while Ida is not used to being alone after 39 years of marriage, but doesn't feel ready to start dating again, at least not until Sam appears on the scene…

"This might be my swan song at Bolton Little Theatre," said Christine Flanigan who plays the feisty Lucille, "as I may be leaving the area to move nearer my family. But what better way to bow out than playing Lucille as she gets her feet back in the dating waters – she really is quite a character."

Society stalwart Michael Tatman plays widower Sam.

"Having worked both on stage and behind the scenes for years at Bolton Little Theatre I have to admit I had considered by best work lay ahead in hanging set doors or painting back cloths," he said, "Imagine my surprise to get my first chance ever to play a romantic lead at my advanced years!"

Certainly Sam’s appearance causes some adjustment for the three ladies who begin to see each other in a rather different light.

Director Michael Jeffries said: "It’s a wonderfully witty portrayal of friendship with all its vagaries and brought to life with that wry Jewish humour as perhaps only that community can. It also marks my debut as a director here at Bolton Little Theatre having appeared on stage here for many years."

So just how will the three friends react to the new man in their midst?

The Cemetery Club runs from Monday April 9 – Saturday, April 14 at 7.30 with a charity performance tomorrow (6 April). Call the box office on 01204 524469 or book on line via the BLT website www.boltonlittletheatre.co.uk