Teeing off new show at the golf club

Hobson’s Choice, by Harold Brighouse, tells the story of Henry Hobson, a successful Salford bootmaker.

He must marry off his three daughters to likely suitors - despite his reluctance to set them up financially as was the custom in nineteenth century England.

But when underpaid and under-appreciated Willie Mossop decides he’s had enough and leaves to set up on his own with the help of Henry’s eldest daughter Maggie, Hobson starts to realise he has made a terrible mistake.

Director Paul Ward has had a casting challenging on his hands when it came to staging the show though.

Originally cast at the start of the year, several members had to drop out for various reasons, so he ended up casting it three times over.

He said: “It’s an excellent play full of laugh out loud comedy as well as some very poignant moments, and ideal for a Bolton audience.

“The interesting thing is I was perfectly happy with all three versions of my cast – which goes to show what a depth of acting talent there is across Bolton.”

Clive McCoy plays the titular character and is a past club captain and past club president at Deane and has relished the chance of performing in front of his club mates.

He said: “We’ve actually sold out Wednesday to Saturday and had to put on another night on Tuesday to cope with demand.

“I think they just wanted to see me making a spectacle of myself!”

Ruth Syddall, who plays Maggie, adds: “I’ve absolutely loved being part of the company and rehearsals have been tremendous fun.

“Some of us have never worked together before but we all just gelled right from the start. I think that’s something that comes over in the performance: when the cast have all enjoyed working together.”

Hobson’s Choice runs from Tuesday, November 8, to Saturday, November 12, at Deane Golf Club in Broadford Road, Deane.

To book tickets call the box office on 07808 733878 or 01204 524469, or visit www.phoenixtheatrebolton.co.uk.