Tickets are now on sale for Macclesfield Amateur Dramatic Society's latest production.

The dark comedy Burke and Hare is gracing the MADS main stage in March.

Macclesfield Nub News visited MADS Little Theatre while the cast were rehearsing for the show.

Matt Coath is playing Mr Hare, one of the title characters. (Image - MADS Theatre Macclesfield)

There are just three actors in the cast, but between them they play dozens of characters.

"It'll be lots of fun," says Matt Coath, who is playing Mr Hare, amongst others.

He summarises the premise of the play, which is set in Edinburgh in the 1820s; "Mr and Mrs Hare have someone sick in the house, and it's bad for business. They see an opportunity involving the Edinburgh anatomists, and that's how it starts."

Gemma Wilson is playing Mrs Hare. (Image - MADS Theatre Macclesfield)

Matt recently acted in the MADS production of Macbeth, and has won awards for previous roles in The Hound of the Baskervilles and Elling.

In Burke and Hare, the protagonists employ, "a lot of whisky," adds Gemma Wilson, who is playing Mrs Hare, and others.

"I play several different characters using lots of different props, headbands and hats."

Connell Costello is playing Mr Burke, the other named character in the title. (Image - MADS Theatre Macclesfield)

Gemma has directed many productions, was awarded Best Actress for Easy Virtue, and was nominated for Best Actress for Emma.

Connell Costello, who is playing Mr Burke, professes his stage fright, but the three actors are quick to delight at their bond as a team when on stage, and even say they can play around with each other by misplacing props on purpose, or by including unexpected jokes.

Connell acted in Old London Town, which he also wrote and directed, The Cripple of Inishmaan and Queers, among other MADS productions.

It is the directorial debut from Andy Cantillon. (Image - MADS Theatre)

"Chaos," is the choice word to describe the show, by first time Director, Andy Cantillon.

"If I wasn't directing it, I'd want to be in it; it's such a fun script to work with, and to see what the cast are doing with it is amazing."

He explains how the small cast playing a large range of characters adds to the frantic and slapstick elements of the show.

Tickets start from £10. Click the red link above to buy tickets.

Andy was recently nominated as Best Supporting Actor for Macbeth, and his repertoire has earned him a myriad of Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor awards and nominations.

Information about the full cast and crew can be found on the MADS Facebook page.

Burke and Hare is showing from the 4th to the 9th of March 2024. Tickets are available to buy here.

MADS, of Lord Street, Macclesfield. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Macclesfield: Anyone is free to become a member of MADS, as an actor or crew member. If you are interested in joining the society, enquiries can be made here.

You can also follow MADS on Instagram.

Late last year, Macc Nub caught up with their new Chair. Please click HERE to read that article.