ONE of the classic TV comedies is being given a new lease of life by a live touring production which is heading to Darwen Library Theatre next week.

Steptoe and Son will feature three complete episodes from the cult TV show written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

The new show is the brainchild of John Hewer, who also plays Harold Steptoe. He previously had a successful touring production based on the life of Tommy Cooper.

“We are basically recreating three classic episodes of Steptoe and Son for people to enjoy on the stage,” he said. “The writing stands up so well on its own so we didn’t muck about with that. But we did put some linking bits in there to let the show flow.”

Steptoe and Son initially ran in the early Sixties and then returned to the BBC from 1970 to 1974.

It told the story of a rag and bone man and his son, played by Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H Corbett.

“Although the whole rag and bone industry has gone in most towns which does make it a period piece in one respect, that bickering father and son relationship is something which we can all still relate to,” said John.

“That’s why people keep tuning in to the repeats on TV and why we like it so much. There is so much comedy in it – that comedy is timeless.”

John was inspired to bring to bring the show to the stage by a chance meeting.

He saw actor Jeremy Smith - who plays Steptoe - at a local theatre.

“I said to him ‘don’t take this the wrong way Jerry but you look like the old man in Steptoe and Son’ and he did this quick impression of Wilfred Brambell. From that point, I just thought that it might have a bit of legs and it developed from there.”

John put together the show and started to stage it at a few village halls around Lincolnshire where he is based.

“It proved really popular and it showed that there is a good appetite for the show. So now we are taking it further afield.

“A number of the theatres where we did the Tommy Cooper show asked us if we had something else to put on and then other new venues have contacted us as they have heard about the show.”

Although staying true to the original TV scripts - one of the episodes is the one where the feuding couple divide the house in two - neither John nor Jeremy set out to do impressions of Harry H Corbett or Wilfrid Brambell.

“We do a great deal of mimicry and those classic catchphrases are in there but there is still a lot of us on stage too,” said John. “Rather than hiding that we try and embrace that. The main point is the gags work so well.

“We don’t want to make it into a weird parody. It’s about keeping true to that original ethic the writers had.”

The show was recently seen by members of Ray Galton’s family.

“They loved the show,” said John. “We were very proud of that. It is brilliantly written and the show was groundbreaking at the time.

“Now we’re giving audiences the chance to enjoy it again and they have really got into the spirit of it.”

Steptoe and Son, Darwen Library Theatre, Friday, March 16. Details from 0844 847 1664 or www.darwenlibrary theatre.com