BOLTON’S Octagon Theatre will be opening its new season of plays with a tale of compassion and conflict.

The divided town of Maycomb, Alabama, will be brought to life in Bolton with a stage adaption of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.

The modern classic of American literature is a story beloved by many readers and two of the show’s stars believe its message is just as important today as when it was published back in 1960.

Marc Small takes on the iconic role of Tom Robinson, the black man accused of raping a white woman, in a small town with a predominantly racist community.

Marc said: “It couldn’t be more relevant today.

“When I agreed to take on this part the world seemed like a very different place, and that was just last year.

“I feel the play takes on the issues of race and how people react to it, and the different character types, is always relevant in today’s world.”

Joining him in the cast is Rob Edwards who plays Atticus Finch, the lawyer who incurs the wrath of the community when he defends Tom in court.

Both Marc and Rob praise the stage adaption for its telling of the story - though they are ‘keeping schtum’ on how the 1930s’ Deep South will be brought to life at Octagon.

Rob said: “I love the Octagon! It’s a beautiful space, particularly in-the-round, it feels like you are involved with the audience and they are drawn into the story. There’s nothing like working with a great play, a great director and in a nice theatre, I cannot think of anything better at all!”

Rob is conscious that he’s playing a role made famous by Gregory Peck in the Hollywood version of the novel from 1962.

“I will be walking in Gregory Peck’s shoes.,” he said. “I hope there isn’t a sigh of disappointment when I walk out, he’s a hard act to follow.

“Interestingly he did the entire movie without a southern accent. I’m doing it in a Welsh accent,” he joked.

Directed by the Octagon’s artistic director Elizabeth Newman, To Kill a Mockingbird follows Finch’s struggle to defend the wrongly accused Robinson in a town which is ravaged by racial prejudice.

The story is told through the eyes of Finch’s fiery daughter Scout who discovers how respect and courage are essential to life.

Taking on the roles of Scout, her brother Jem and best-friend Dill will be two teams of three young actors.

“It’s brilliant to see the children working and bringing their energy to the rehearsals,” Rob adds.

“To see them working on the play, their opinions changing and bringing their own ideas of how to work things is great.”

The novel has been adapted by Christopher Sergel and award-winning designer Amanda Stoodley returns to the Octagon.

There will also be a free question and answer session for the audience with the actors on September 19 post-show.

Marcus adds: “It is a powerful play. It is not going to wave a magic wand and change the world but it offers a progressive message, it’s not a bleak view.

“My job is to make people see what Tom Robinson is going through. You can’t carry the weight of a whole social experience but you hope it will unfold through watching the play.

“There are characters people will get angry with but if we can elicit that response we have done our job and you have got to be happy with that.”

To Kill a Mockingbird runs from Thursday, September 8, to Saturday, October 15. Details from 01204 520661.