GLOBE theatre critic Peter Grant previews the touring stage production of Nigel Slater’s best-selling memoirs Toast coming to Liverpool.

Imagine tasting and smelling a show.

Now you can raise a toast to Toast ... which arrives at the Liverpool Playhouse on Tuesday (September 10) and with it comes welcome wafts of culinary delights.

It is a stage adaptation of national newspaper columnist Nigel Slater's childhood told through the actual tastes and smells he shared with his mother.

The play premiered in 2018 at The Lowry before a sold-out run at the Traverse during the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe it then transferred to the West End and finished a four month run at London's The Other Palace.

Now Nigel's words on the page come to life once again for audiences around the country.

Nigel is the author of a collection of best-selling books and presenter of nine BBC television series as well as food columnist for The Observer for 25 years.

His memoir Toast the Story of A Boy’s Hunger won six major awards, has been translated into five languages and became a BBC film starring Helena Bonham Carter and Freddie Highmore.

Adapted for the stage by Henry Filloux-Bennett, the production is directed by Jonnie Riordan and one man has a lot on his plate – he is on stage for moré than two mouth-watering hours and dressed in schoolboy clothes.

Giles Cooper, who starred as Nigel on the tour following his performance in the role during the show's West End run tells the Wirral Globe he is looking forward to visiting the Playhouse again.

He was last at the Playhouse in a 2012 Shakspeare's Globe production of Henry V.

For starters, he has another task in hand.

"Last time I was on Merseyside I didn't have a chance to do all the sight-seeing.

"I am a massive Beatle fan and will be doing the whole tour including seeing the brand new Tower Ballroom mural in New Brighton.

"I will visit other parts of picturesque Wirral, too."

As for the acclaimed theatre show, 37-year-old Giles has appeared in more than 200 performances of this play which tantalises the taste buds but also has a real life story to tell.

He says: "The play will appeal to anyone who likes theatrical surprises, oh and food and sweets.

"It as a terrific kitchen set which again is full of things you wouldn't expect."

Giles, who appeared in the films Pride and The Lady in the Van, was born in Bath.

He adds: "Anyone who remembers Angel Delight will enjoy this huge slice of nostalgia.

"I am sure fans of butterscotch flavour will sigh at the memory.

"I was thrilled when I landed the part and I never ever tire of playing it.

"Nigel is a great wordsmith and his story appeals to all ages. Recently a group of schoolgirls told us how much they loved it.

"Audiences really are in for a treat."

"This is a multi-sensory experience.

"A play about growing up with food and escaping to London. Along the way we find how to make a sherry trifle.

"It really is a tale of love, loss and toast.

"I am on stage for the entire show so I have to make sure I have water to hand.

"When you walk in the theatre you are met by smells of food - something the film couldn't do.

"At various points during the show audience members will be invited to try tastes from Nigel's childhood."

So get your bib ready – this is an experience to whet your appetite and one you can get your teeth into.

But that's enough of me serving current puns.

Giles is keeping tight-lipped about one element of this show that he still finds hard to swallow

He laughs: "Oh yes, something I do not actually like to eat myself ... but I'm an actor. And I am not telling you."

This all sounds like a very palatable piece of theatre - if it’s not then I’ll eat my words.

Toast is at the Liverpool Playhouse from September 10-14.

Tickets from 0151 709 4776