MEMBERS of Bolton Little Theatre have stepped in quickly to stage the world amateur premiere of Jimmie Chinn's A Different Way Home.

The comedy has only just been released for amateur performance, having first been performed on the professional stage at the Oldham Coliseum two years ago.

At that time Roy Barraclough played the leading role and the production won several major awards.

The play is deeply moving and astutely observed. It comprises two monologues from members of a family in a small closely-knit North of England town.

In Act One Leslie, who has lived with his mother all his life, narrates the events leading up to her death, unwittingly revealing the extent of his loss and his bitterness towards his sister Maureen who lives nearby, but is not in touch.

Act Two features Maureen, who reveals how Leslie has succumbed to his grief, and we hear her side of the story.

The two voices convey the need for families to communicate with one another and for love to transcend prejudice.

Besides being deeply moving, the play also contains many laughs and maybe one or two home truths.

BLT's production has already attracted the attention of the Amateur Stage Magazine.

Andrew Close directs and Michael Hope plays the leading role.

Performances run from Saturday to April 7, 7.30pm. Tickets are from Bolton Town Hall's Albert Halls Ticket Office on 334400 and from the Little Theatre, 6pm to 8pm, on 524469. General booking enquiries are on 842252.