IT is acknowledged as being one of the great plays of the 20th Century and for Richard Keightley and Matthew Wynn who play the two main characters, Of Mice and Men, has not disappointed.

The John Steinbeck classic is in Manchester this week coming toward the end of a hugely successful UK tour.

Matthew, who plays the gentle giant Lennie, said: “Artistically I’m not wishing it would come to an end - it’s such a great play. You do some jobs and the script itself can be a bit ‘OK, what can we do with this?’ but this is justifiably a masterpiece. There is always something to find in every performance.”

Set in the Great Depression in the Twenties, it’s the story of two migrant ranch workers who dream of owning their own ranch as they cross the dusty roads of middle America searching for work.

George, played by Richard, is the brains of the outfit, a bright, ambitious character who is looking to improve his, and Lennie’s lot.

Lennie as Matthew describes him is “a follower” and the pair have a genuine love for each other which ultimately leads to tragedy.

“You can play parts that are fairly functional really,” said Matthew, “but these characters are just fantastic.

“Certainly with Lennie there is just such a richness to his world and for me the challenge is about getting it right in terns of his level of understanding of things.

“In rehearsal one day the director said ‘I love the way you play Lennie because you play him a though there is nothing wrong with him’.

“But from Lennie’s perspective there is nothing wrong with Lennie, it’s Lennie’s world and that’s just him.

“Lennie is an innocent and left to his own devices he’s a happy chappy. He knows what he wants and what he likes and what excites him and he loves George. It’s just a shame the world doesn’t treat him the same. That’s the whole heartbreaking aspect of it.”

Although written almost a century ago, audiences are surprised at how relevant the themes and the messages of the play remain.

“If you write as intelligently about the human condition as Steinbeck did, it shouldn’t come as any surprise,” said Richard.

“Audiences are astounded at how relevant it is but essentially human beings don’t change. This play will be equally relevant in another hundred years.”

The relationship between George and Lennie underpins the whole production and it is clear that Richard and Matthew have struck up a great friendship of their own during the run.

“We’d never met until the first day of rehearsals,” said Richard, “but when you’re working with someone as closely as Matthew and I do, if you don’t trust them inherently that’s going to be a real problem.”

“I think we were both amazed at how quickly we became George and Lennie,” said Matthew. “The foundations for their relationship developed so quickly.”

Of Mice and Men, Manchester Opera House, until Saturday. Details from 0844 871 3018 or www.atgtickets.com