CLASSIC theatre performances could soon be coming to -- a living room near you.

That is the promise of a new theatre company searching for venues in Bolton.

Close for Comfort provides the perfect night IN at the theatre.

The pair behind the theatre company, Janet Gill and Glenn Johnson, provide the performances, and audiences do not have to move from their armchairs.

Their cosy interpretations of plays are already inspiring a new breed of armchair fan.

Janet said: "We perform plays in people's living rooms.

"We consider plays for production that are set in one room, for two actors, of appropriate length. That is the clinical side of things but, most importantly, the plays have to pass the 'we think it's wonderful at first reading' test.

"At the moment we are presenting two one-act plays. The first is a serious piece from Holland, and the second, a comedy.

"Acting in intimate spaces like living rooms can be daunting but is ultimately very rewarding.

"One can be very natural -- there is no need, obviously, to speak loudly, and small movements are easily noticed. The rapport with the audience is very satisfying.

"We perform to private parties so we always appear in front of groups of friends who are pleased to be in each other's company from the beginning. When we finish acting our hosts inevitably ask us to share some wine with them -- always something we encourage!

"Getting to know one's audience is also quite delightful. We thoroughly enjoy what we do and hope to share our theatre in a variety of living rooms across the country including Bolton which has a terrific reputation in the world of theatre."

Janet initially came up with the idea. She took a part-time two-year drama course at the City Literary Institute in London, studied theatre and education at Central School of Speech and Drama, and formed a fringe theatre company.

Glenn trained as an actor at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. Both are originally from Surrey. Anyone interested in providing theatre in their own living room should contact Close for Comfort at Close4Comf@aol.com