COMEDIAN Lewis Charlesworth is going back to his first love as he brings his debut play Cheaters to the stage.

The stand-up comic has penned his first play drawing on his ability to make people laugh — and inspired by those people "who we all know" who are never content with their lot.

"Cheaters is a a play about infidelity, it is a fast-paced, and dynamic comedy — echoing the classic farces by the likes of Noel Coward, but updated for modern audiences, it’s a frantic, silly and raunchy take on marriage, monogamy, and infidelity," said Lewis, who lives in Ramsbottom,"We have tested the material in front of a live audience to a great reception.

"It's my debut as a theatre writer, directer and performer."

His sketch show Book of Northern: The entire history of the North West, told under one hour, sold out at The Met last year which was a big help in winning over the theatre to take a chance on his play in which "non-bachelors" Kevin and Dave bring two married ladies back to their house for an evening of pre-meditated adultery — but very quickly things do not go according to plan.

The former Turton School pupil, who has been a stand-up comedian for the past ten years, said: "I have always had a massive interest in drama, and studied it at York University.

"I fell into stand-up but theatre was always my first love, I had written three plays before but Cheaters is my first proper play and when I showed it to people they really liked it."

He added: "I performed at The Met last year and when I approached them about the play they liked the idea, the theatre has been really supportive.

"Staging the play has gone quite smoothly so far, the biggest challenge was finding rehearsal space. Getting into the theatre has been fantastic."

Rehearsals have been taking place in the community room at Ramsbottom Fire Station to keep costs down and stars local talent, including his wife, Rosie, Lauren Dickenson, from Edgworth, and Dan Sheader from Bolton who have both appeared in Coronation Street.

Lewis said: "Renting rehearsal space would have been a big cost and I found out fire stations have community rooms which can be used for free.

"Last Sunday all the cast got together for the first time and we needed a lot of space — and we had a lot of space. When we were rehearsing the alarms would go off and we would get ready to leave to the building as people are conditioned to do so before realising it was part of the course rehearsing in a fire station!"

He added: ""Cheaters is a bawdy farce, and is about those people who are always looking around for something else, maybe those who have got married really young.

"There has never been a farce where the subject is solely about infidelity" he said, "It will appeal to those who enjoy going to the theatre but also those who don't go that often because they think theatre is always serious and can go to enjoy an entertaining play."

Lewis' future ambitions are to continue to write stage plays and has already written follow-up, but he's not giving up his stand-up career and has a number of gigs planned.

"I am more excited than nervous about opening night," said Lewis.

Cheaters shows at The Met on May 10, May 17, May 24.