ACTRESS Maxine Peake said she couldn't say no to playing Titania in the BBC's adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream as pictures of the production are released ahead of its airing this month.

Maxine said she accepted the leading role after being approached by acclaimed screenwriter and producer Russel T Davies, known for his work on Doctor Who.

The acclaimed actress, who went to Westhoughton High School before continuing her studies at Canon Slade, said: "I was approached by Russell T Davies —– who I actually worked with years ago, when I was weeny, in a

children’s programme he produced — but I’d never worked with him as a grown up actor.

"So I met him for a cup of tea and he was so enthusiastic, he had so much passion and his heart was really in it and I just couldn’t say no. It’s fun, mischievous and has a lot of heart in it."

She added that it was his passion that attracted her to her to the role.

"It felt modern day without changing any of the language.

And it just feels like good, family fun."

Maxine, who played the role of Hamlet at the Royal Exchange Theatre will be leading a stellar cast including Matt Lucas, Bernard Cribbins, Elaine Paige, Nonso Anozie, Javone Prince, Richard Wilson and Hiran Abeysekera.

Mr Davies adapted the play for the BBC’s Shakespeare Season to commemorate 400 years since the playwright’s death.

She said: "I’m playing Titania, the Queen of the Fairies. In Russell’s adaption, she’s a bit of a warrior. Her ‘Lord’

is Oberon — he’s the King of the Fairies — but she’s got the hots for Hippolyta!"

Maxine added: "The prosthetics and the make-up are so fantastic — I would just get there, put it on and work with it!"

The actress said that the play is a great way of getting children interested in the works of The Bard.

"It is unique because of the magical element — the fairies and the humour, although it’s got some dark moments in there too.

"But it’s the magical elements that make it unique, the woods, the mysteriousness, the transformation of Bottom, elements of folklore and the lovers.

"You can’t take it too seriously and it’s one of Shakespeare’s most entertaining pieces.

"It’s sense of joy, fun and colourfulness. It’s got a fantastic cast — from all walks of the business — and it’s packed full of Russell T Davies — so what’s not to like!

"It’s inventive, fun, clever and accessible.

"And I think that’s what Shakespeare’s got to be, especially if you want to get young people or people who usually get turned off by Shakespeare to engage with it, you’ve got to inject some fun and soul

into it."

Maxine told of the differences about playing Shakespeare's characters on stage and for TV productions.

She added: "Normally when you approach Shakespeare, it’s on stage and you have lots of time to rehearse and prepare.

"But TV is quite quick and you need to make the language not feel too theatrical.

"I think Russell’s done this brilliantly, it’s economical and he’s stripped out a lot of those big speeches that can bamboozle people a little bit. It’s telling the story clearly, succinctly and with as much fun as

possible."