REHEARSALS are in full swing for the Albert Halls first in-house production.

The much loved musical The Last Five Years opens at the newly transformed theatre later this month, with rehearsals getting underway this week.

And in another first the Albert Halls, which usually serves as a venue for touring productions will be delivering the musical ­— which in 2014 was turned into a film starring Anna Kendrick ­— in the round.

James Edgington, one half of the Father and Son duo who won over the national with their appearance on Britain's Got Talent, is directing the show.

He said: "It is the first time the Albert Halls has produced an in house show in modern times and it is exciting to be part of it.

"I chose this play because I fell in love with it about five years ago, I saw a production of it in Salford and it is just stunning, it's beautiful.

"I just wanted to get involved with it and share it with Bolton, because I think they will appreciate it."

The Last Five Years is about two people who fall in and out of love over the course of five years.

James said: "Audiences can expect laughter and tears. It's about real life, about real relationships, it has ups and downs throughout the whole show, it's no secret the show is essentially about a break-up but its also about love and what that means, and maybe people can relate to that and hopefully take something from it."

James, who works in marketing and programming at the Albert Halls, hopes this will be the first of a many in-house productions.

"When I got the post in March the first question I asked was 'do you think I could do something in house' and they were open to it and that's exciting."

The musical stars Sam Lupton and Stephanie Clift who are reuniting the for the production after previously playing opposite each other in the UK tour of Little Shop of Horrors.

Sam is no stranger to Bolton having starred in a number of productions in the Octagon Theatre, including Streetcar Named Desire and The Hired Man, which won an award.

Speaking about the Albert Halls' first in-house production, he said: "It is really exciting for Bolton, it is exciting for the North West. The North West has a fantastic theatre scene and this is helping cement that and it would be great if other regions followed the North West lead and brought theatre back to it being locally produced for a local audience."

He added: "The Last Five Years has been a favourite for many years, I heard about it ten or so years ago and it is a masterclass of storytelling through music."

Steph said: "Rehearsals are going great. The music is absolutely stunning, the writing is great. I do love the play, I feel very lucky I get to do it."

The play opens on November 21 and runs until November 23.

For more information visit call 0843 2080500 or go online at www.alberthalls-bolton.co.uk