THE British premiere of Phil Olson's brilliant comedy Mom's Gift will be staged in Bolton, much to the delight of the playwright.

Farnworth Little Theatre has received support from Phil for being the first company to produce the "comedy with a heart" play in this country.

The award-winning playwright wrote: "First of all, thank you to the Farnworth Little Theatre and to the cast and crew for putting on 'Mom's Gift,' and for your dedication in bringing live theatre to audiences since 1948, an accomplishment few theatres can claim.

"Second, thank you to the wonderful people of Bolton for supporting the Farnworth Little Theatre. Your support is much appreciated and very important in their continued success."

The play is about a family, whose mother, who has been dead for 11 months shows up at her husband's birthday party as a ghost with a mission!

Phil added: "They say to write what you know. I grew up in an emotionally reserved Scandinavian household in Minnesota. My father would tell us he was the Norwegian who loved his wife so much, he almost told her. 'Mom's Gift' contains elements of my family. We never talked about feelings or emotions, but we loved each other. We just never said it out loud. Ever. I hope you enjoy 'Mom's Gift' as much as I enjoyed the catharsis of putting it on paper.

"Break a leg! Have a great run!"

Director Peter Scofield said he was thrilled to be bringing the country's first production to the stage ­— a play which the company discovered completely by accident. And says the audiences will enjoy an evening of brilliant entertainment.

"It was my wife who discovered it, she is always looking for possible plays to produce and at first I thought the title 'Mom' would not appeal to British audiences, but after reading it, I found it was a genuinely funny, emotional and moving with a surprise along the way. I thought I would like for Farnworth Little Theatre to do this, " said Peter.

"Phil confirmed this is the British premiere, it has been produced in the States. It is great to bring a new production to a British audience.

"I am thrilled to be doing this, it is a challenge because there is no yard stick to measure it against but a great thrill."

He added: "We have a very experienced cast who are having tremendous fun at at rehearsals

"We hope the audience will also have a lot of fun."

Peter said: "This a thoroughly entertaining play, a really good comedy, very sharp. Think Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit and a Wonderful Life."

Mom's Gift runs from January 19 to 26.

For more information visit https://www.farnworthlittletheatre.co.uk/