WHEN the comedy The Cemetery Club opens Farnworth Little Theatre's new season on September 13, producer Norman Pickles will celebrate an anniversary.

Forty years ago -- again in September -- he produced Epitaph for George Dillon, the first play performed at the theatre's new home in Cross Street.

Nine years before that, he had directed another play -- On Monday Next -- to open a theatre at the Farnworth group's previous home at the King's Hall now demolished.

In those days, part of Norman's job on the staff of the old Farnworth Journal was to review local productions.

He was well suited for his role of critic having been a producer, actor and playwright.

For many years Norman has been a leading actor with FLT. Perhaps his most memorable role was Sir Thomas More in A Man for All Season.

In the play's recent revival at Farnworth, he played the part again.

When his own play When Winter Comes was included in a week of amateur productions at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre, he directed it and took one of the main roles.

Norman says of The Cemetery Club: "It attracted me because it is so beautifully written. It's full of biting wit and sarcasm, with characters that are so perfectly drawn.

"I also love the way it deals with the quality of friendship, and how deep friendship can overcome any clash of personalities and the problems of life."