EBENEZER Scrooge is infamous for his dower 'bah humbug' attitude to Christmas, but Bolton's miser is full of cheer.

Marc Small looks worlds away from his onstage counterpart as he laps up the season joy of a festive show.

The Octagon favourite returns to the theatre as the lead in A Christmas Carol, which hits the stage tomorrow.

He will take on the mantel of Charles Dicken's legendary character Scrooge and joins a full cast for the musical with a twist of 'Bolton magic'.

However, he was at first reluctant to take on the part in his favourite story until director Ben .... convinced him otherwise.

Marc said: "Scrooge is such an iconic character, to the point that most people call the story Scrooge rather than A Christmas Carol.

"It is one of my favourite stories! I would rather watch the show but Ben said 'I think you will enjoy doing it' and I trust Ben as a director.

"I've watched a lot of version but it wasn't until I was offered the part that I read the the novel. I loved so many of the film versions I didn't want it to ruin the story but, trust me, it doesn't!

"You have to have the right Scrooge for the right production. My Scrooge is misery in motion. In our production, which I really love, gives lots of reasons why he is the way he is which is something which other productions sometimes miss out."

A Christmas Carol has been adapted by Bolton’s own Neil Duffield is set to bring festive fun, magic, and music to the Octagon.

Alongside Marc will be a talented cast of six, Ruby Ablett, Richard Colvin, Sue Devaney, Martina Isibor, Robert Jackson and Samuel Martin, who will be playing multiple parts.

A young company will also be playing a number of parts, with some of the young people taking on the roles of characters such as Tiny Tim and Little Fan, and the whole young company will be part of the chorus.

They will be playing and singing new arrangements of classics Christmas carols by Rob Hiley.

Marc adds: "It's a proper family story – Dickens wrote it for families to read together – but you don't have to have children to come along and enjoy it!

"Expect lots of music and lots of characters being brought to life. The story is being told by six story tellers and the audience will also feel very much part of the play.

"It is traditional in terms of time period but with an extra bit of Bolton magic flavour infused into it.

"It is two hours of fun you will love – I guarantee it!"