A WINSFORD author wants budding local actors to complete the cast for a theatre adaptation of his novel.

The Winsford Academy has teamed up with writer, Alan Fleet, to produce a stage version of Woollyback and will hold open auditions for the production next month.

The book tells the story of a difficult father-son relationship against the backdrops of Winsford’s two generations – the older Over and Wharton residents and the younger so-called ‘Woollybacks’, who moved with the Merseyside overspill.

“The son remembers open-air swimming baths, girlfriends and hope, whilst the father is at odds with his violent past,” explained Alan.

“In their lives both experienced prejudice for their choice of women who would be their wives, and yet it was ultimately those choices that led to their estrangement.

“I hope Woollyback will make people realise how much better it is to accept change rather than fight against it. In life, change is the only constant.”

Producers are looking for eighteen local actors to appear in the play, which will premiere at the Winsford Academy’s theatre in October.

Academy principal, Andy Taylor-Edwards, said: “I can think of no better venue for the first performances to be held than in the outstanding theatre at the Winsford Academy; how apt that a story of old Winsford should be told in perhaps the newest of Winsford’s buildings.

“However, people should not think that this is a tale of yesterday, far from it; at the heart of the story is a controversial issue. The story will make you laugh and it will make you cry.”

Alan, a former Verdin Grammar School student, added that he hopes to film a documentary about the staging of the production to enter into film festivals.

Open auditions are at 7.30pm on Thursday May 1.Lighting, sound technicians and directors are being sought to get involved with the project.