NO one plays a Lancashire lad better than a Lancashire lad!

With acclaim from theatre critics following a season at the Young Vic Theatre, Leigh-born Gareth Farr is preparing for a national tour with the company and first stop is back home.

Gareth stars in that most Lancashire of comedies Hobson's Choice and admits to a bit of nervousness and excitement when the company arrives at The Lowry next month.

"It will be an opportunity for the family to make the short trip to see me. It will be great being so close to home, something I am really looking forward to," said Gareth, whose family live in the Astley area.

Special occasion

"I know family and friends are already booking their tickets so it will be a special occasion for me, particularly coming home with such a famous Lancashire play.

"Yes, it will be different. In London the play is proving a great success but being back in the North-west and so close to Leigh will be special."

Former Bedford High pupil Gareth still calls Leigh "home" and rejoins his family at every opportunity.

During his blossoming career, he has made a number of theatre and TV performances, appearing with the Royal Shakespeare Company in A Midsummer Night's Dream and notching up television roles in The Bill, Jonathan Creek and Heartbeat.

In Brighouse's classic early 20th Century tale, widower, successful boot and shoemaker and pillar of the community, Henry Hobson, finds the commercial world is easy compared to bringing up three wilful and determined daughters.

In this production -- a sort of Salford meets Bollywood -- Hobson is an Asian fabric and dress store owner whose oldest daughter is a feisty no-nonsense lass who knows just what she wants and whose two younger daughters have set their hats and hearts on local lads.

Enter Gareth who plays a local solicitor determined to prosecute his love interest with Hobson's daughter, Sunita.