TWO actors who first trod the boards in Tottington have set themselves the challenge of performing all the works of Shakespeare in less than one hour.

Pete Gibson and Jenny Gregson will present 'The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)' at the Kings Arms in Salford on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week. (January 20, 21 and 22)

The pair, with the help of Altrincham-based actor Joseph Lanchester, aim to take the audience on a comedic tour of the Bard's work at breakneck speed.

Pete, who lives in Simister, said he became an actor by accident after visiting Prestwich Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society with his daughter, and leaving with a part in their production of Blood Brothers.

The 47-year-old has just recorded his first national television drama, and is also set to perform in a touring James Bond spoof with Manchester company, Shot in the Dark, in February.

Pete said he hoped the performance, which was originally made famous by American trio The Reduced Shakespeare Company, would help make the works of Shakespeare more accessible.

He said: "People tell me they find Shakespeare confusing and even boring, but his work is all about human relationships, power struggles and politics.

"I think people take Shakespeare too seriously sometimes. Anyone who creates a character like Falstaff in Henry the Fourth has to have a good sense of humour – and so we make no apology for sending up Shakespeare and bringing out the fun in his work."

Pete and Jenny have reunited after their initial foray as amateur players, and spent last year performing in Shakespeare’s 'As You Like It' at the Lowry Theatre in Salford.

The pair first acted together in an Agatha Christie spoof play named Murdered to Death, rehearsing at Tottington Primary School for performances at the Whitefield Garrick theatre.

Next week's show represents a return to her first love for Jenny, who trained at the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama in the 1960s and regularly appeared at the Octagon in Bolton and the Oldham Coliseum.

However, she retired from acting in 1979 to raise a family, and also set up stonemason business J Child and Son Ltd.

Jenny directed and acted in several local amateur productions, before resuming her theatre career last year.

Tickets cost £5 and can be purchased from the website kingsarmssalford.com or by calling 0759 2028142.