BOLTON Octagon's reputation for producing fine theatre was a deciding factor to lure two of the starring actors to its Christmas show.

Sally Mortemore and Adam Sunderland, who play the Snow Queen and Jack Frost say the Octagon's name is now firmly established as one of the best throughout the country.

Adam said: "I have been desperate to work in Bolton for years. Around the scene it is known to have a good reputation.

"I have played the Royal Exchange in Manchester, Stoke and other big rep companies, but I have always wanted to do Bolton. I have been for about 100 auditions here."

Both are experienced stage actors. Adam lists his most memorable work as touring the world with the David Glass Mime Ensemble visiting places such as Singapore, Chile and Argentina.

And while Sally describes her time with the Redshift Theatre Company as "just wonderful", one of her most memorable appearances came when she appeared in the video of one of her favourite pop stars.

She said: "I used to be a Goth in Camden and had been a fan of Annie Lennox since 1979, before the Eurythmics. I was asked to go to a casting in London for the video and the queue was phenomenal. Two hours later it was my turn to audition. No one had told me she would be there, so I appeared before eight people sat in a semi-circle, and was then introduced to Annie Lennox. She was a really nice woman. The video was for No More I Love You and I appeared as a whore. It was not the most amazing job acting wise, but it was one of the most memorable."

Even so, when it comes to videos and film, Sally says she is angry about the imbalance in funds. She explained: "A few years ago I did an ad for cough sweets and I was outraged. It took all day to just do the opening sequence. They had brought in a special camera on a crane which cost £3.5 million. It was the only one in Europe.

"All that to get people to go out and buy a packet of cough sweets --meanwhile theatres struggle."

The Snow Queen runs at the Octagon from Thursday to January 12.

Adam said: "It takes the best bits out of pantomime, and mixes them with straight drama and music. There is also a song sheet section where there is some audience participation."

Each member of the cast has two parts to play, doubling up as animals. Sally appears as the Snow Queen and a donkey, while Adam is Jack Frost and a dog. There is also a section when cast members turn their hand to operating puppets -- this in addition to singing and dancing.

Adam said: "It is exhausting with two shows a day. Christmas Day is the only day we get off. But this is our job and it is the time of year when people want entertaining. It is the best time of the year to work. Children are also a less cynical audience and more prepared to go with it."

Further details and tickets for the Snow Queen are from the Octagon box office on 520661.

A SPECIAL guest will be lurking behind the scenes of Bolton's Christmas show at the Octagon . . .

Top dog Barney has come to the town to accompany star of the Snow Queen Sally Mortemore.

But this will not be the American Spaniel's first stage experience, he has already "rubbed noses" with several stars.

Barney began his career spending six months circuiting show rings before deciding he was better suited back stage.

Since then he has toured -- accompanying Sally -- with the English Shakespeare Company and the Redshift Theatre Company. He has appeared in German television and met Annie Lennox, Sarah Brightman, Dennis Quilley and Nicholas Ball.

Now, he is lending his experience to the backstage crew at Bolton Octagon.