THERE will be no sleeping on the job for the cast of The Family Way as two stars perfect scenes from the season opener — in bed.

Jessica Baglow and Harry Long play the roles of recently married couple Arthur and Jenny Fitton and have been working on the all important scenes within their characters' marital bedroom.

The Bill Naughton play, directed by Elizabeth Newman, is set in 1960s Bolton and follows the newlyweds, who are young, in love, and excited to embark on the rest of their lives together.

Miss Baglow said: "Rehearsing for The Family Way has been really interesting to look back at how a young married couple would live at that time.

"A lot of the scenes are in Arthur and Jenny's bedroom so it is important for us to rehearse around a bed.

"The sixties were the cusp of when things like sex before marriage became more acceptable and ideals were starting to shift, so although expectations were different back then, they behave in the way you might think."

Miss Baglow, a former Rivington and Blackrod pupil who grew up in Chorley, says working at the Octagon is a "dream job".

The 26-year-old said: "It was amazing to grow up watching productions at the Octagon and it was always a dream to perform here myself. There is nothing more satisfying than working in the place you used to love going when you were younger. Plus it has such an amazing reputation."

Despite being from Devon, Mr Long, aged 32, has picked up the Bolton twang to a tee for his role of Arthur.

It is not the first time the pair have worked together — they were co-stars in the theatre's production of Private Lives earlier this year.

Mr Long said: "We're in week four of rehearsals now so things are coming together nicely. Bolton has such a rich theatre history and I think it's great when productions like this are made for a local audience.

"We've both worked with Elizabeth before. I love the way she is so focussed on the actors and she creates and environment where we can flourish.

"She loves research and we have been looking at photos and reading up on short stories written by people who grew up in 1960s Bolton, which has been really helpful to help us get into character."

The Family Way runs from September 4 to October 3 at the Octagon Theatre. For tickets, call 01204 520661.