GLOBE columnist Peter Grant meets West End star Daniel Taylor ahead of his scary new version of Macbeth this week.

"I want people to be scared when they walk into the theatre.

"It's a horror story. I want them to be unnerved."

Liverpool's versatile, award-winning actor Daniel Taylor is serious about his company's latest production of The Scottish Play (look away if you are superstitious ... he's talking about Macbeth).

Daniel, who has appeared in Willy Russell's Blood Brothers for decades as Sammy (the one with the plate in his head) is also the writer, director and producer who created The Tommy Cooper Show - a play about his idol.

Daniel, who also starred in this year's five star-rated Jack and The Beanstalk with Wirral's Shirley Ballas, at the Empire, is passionate about all he does on and off stage.

"I am a jobbing actor.

"I don't sit by the phone waiting for it to ring.

"If I have an idea I get together with like- minded people and make it happen.

"With no funding it's tough but exciting and challenging."

Daniel is clearly excited about making Shakespeare more accessible especially to schools.

He has two of his Blood Brothers co-stars with him this time in Sean Jones (Macbeth) and Warwick Evans (Duncan).

Daniel - a one time busker - has also brought in a very talented cast of local talent, notably Lenny Wood.

His company have achieved success and a solid reputation with vibrant versions of A Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet.

Both were critically-acclaimed with the former receiving four stars in the Wirral Globe.

Daniel says: "I was dragged to see Shakespeare when I was at school.

"It was, on many occasions, a case of watching the clock ticking.

"I want school parties to enjoy it now as the cast do and really get something out of it."

To that end, Daniel ensures that the story is told in under two hours with an interval.

He is not, he points out, a fan of Shakespeare's repetition.

He says the Epstein Theatre is also an ideal venue for all his productions, especially every timeless Shakespeare.

"The building - formerly the Neptune - becomes part of each play.

"You only have to look around at the walls and the balcony - feel the atmosphere."

Recently he has adapted the earthy '60s drama A Taste of Honey.

For now it's back to a bloody Bard.

"The Scottish Play is a modern day horror story.

"It starts off with two lads Macbeth and Banquo returning home.

"Set in the aftermath of a civil war in Scotland it explores the damage and psychological effects of conflict, betrayal and the destructive political ambition by those who seek power for is own sake.

"As it says in the poster 'Blood will have Blood'.

"You can see other modern family parallels in it with the likes of Posh and Becks and The Kardashans."

Daniel loves wearing so many hats in his career.

From period Shakespeare to Tommy Cooper's fez, John Lennon in Through the Looking Glass and Sammy in Blood Brothers with a plate in his head for the past 20 years.

"I have loved working on Alan 40th anniversary production of Down The Dock Road at the Royal Court and Willy Russell's Blood Brothers masterpiece.

"I just love what I do ..." says the hard-working star.

And I can confirm that, having once bumped into Daniel enthusiastically out and about in the streets handing out promotional leaflets and drumming up audiences for his own diverse shows.

Taylor made for the the theatre - that's Daniel.

Macbeth is at the Epstein Theatre, Liverpool, from this Thursday, March 7 to 16.

Tickets from the box office on 0844 888 4411.