A CUTTING edge depiction of the 40s jazz era unfolds at Bolton's Octagon theatre in The Billie Holiday Story.

Mixing theatre and film through multi-media techniques, the play is gritty, no-holds barred musical dramatising the life of the legendary singer, brought vividly to life by a multi-talented cast of West End performers.

Stripped of Hollywood tinsel, the woman who became a cultural icon and a beacon of hope to millions - is shown from her traumatic childhood in the back streets of Baltimore to the colourful jazz scene of New York's caf society and Harlem's Apollo Theatre, leading to her tragic demise at the age of just 42.

Featuring 22 of Billie's classic songs, including Strange Fruit, Summertime and Ole Man River,

The Billie Holiday Story plays at the Bolton theatre from September 5 to 9 and tickets, priced from £7.50, can be booked by ringing 01204 520661.

n AN enlightening theatrical workshop takes place at Crewe Lyceum aimed at training theatre technicians of the future.

On Saturday, July 8, a theatre technician will lead a workshop entitled Lighting The Stage, which will cover rigging, plotting and positioning of lights, cabling and dimmer systems and the use of special effects.

The following day the theatre's sound technician runs the Sounding Out The Stage group which will cover selecting equipment, positioning speakers and microphones, as well as creating sound effects and using the sound desk.

Both workshops run from 10am until 4pm and for more information ring 01606 867780.

n THEATRE-GOERS will be dropping everything to see The Full Monty when it arrives at Chester Gateway next month.

Based on the phenomenally successful British comedy film, the show has all the same ingredients - characters, laughter and a tenderness the world fell in love with first time around.

Jerry is a great dad but he's unemployed, broke and divorced. If he doesn't get enough money together soon he won't be able to see his son. He's got a brilliant idea how to get the money and now all he needs is a little help from some friends.

The Full Monty runs from July 10 to 15 and tickets, priced from £8, can be booked by ringing 01244 340392.

n A CRIMINAL masterpiece set on the Costa del Sol plays out at Crewe Lyceum in Brian Clemens' Inside Job.

Out of the reach of English law, professional safecracker Larry has struck it lucky - gorgeous Suzy asks him to steal the diamonds from her husband Alex's safe and run away with her to Rio.

But Alex has employed Larry to murder Suzy for her £100,000 life insurance policy.

Larry tells Suzy about her husband's plans and together they plot to steal the diamonds, murder Alex and make off with the dividend. Full of twists and suspense, Inside Job, starring Leslie Grantham, plays until July 1.

Tickets, priced from £8, can be booked by ringing 01270 537333.

n A NIGHT of Mediterranean passion unfolds at the Royal Exchange Theatre in classic Italian comedy Mirandolina.

Matthew Kelly and Raquel Cassidy star in this witty and sharp battle of the sexes that combines concealed identities with hidden love and expert flirting.

A beautiful, independent and feisty young woman inherits an inn and is immediately surrounded by fawning men but, bored with the attention and yearning for an honest husband, Mirandolina rises to the challenge of persuading a woman-hating wag how to love women - with surprising consequences. Mirandolina runs from July 5 to August 5 and tickets, priced from £7.50 to £26, can be booked by ringing 0161 833 9833.

n TALENTED performers are being given the chance to Reach For The Stars in a show organised by Winsford's Factory Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Director Richard Ellis is organising a show to be held at Crewe Lyceum on September 17 and is looking for groups, dance schools and theatre companies to take part in the talent showcase.

He said: "I'd like to hear from a group that may want to perform at the show with their own 10-minute number and particularly young vocalists who may want their chance to perform in front of nearly 1,000 people.

"The show will run similarly to those of the Sunday Night Live style and will be based on songs from musicals."

There will be opportunities for individuals to perform alongside Factory Academy of Dramatic Arts members and anyone interested in taking part should ring Richard on 01606 860167.