BECKETT is coming to Birkenhead.

Two plays by the Irish writer will be performed at Christ Church in Oxton Village in August.

It is a welcome return to a Wirral stage for actress Pauline Fleming - former Brookside, Coronation Street and Cilla The Musical star.

Pauline last performed a drama at the Birkenhead Priory in 2018 co- starring with Neil MacDonald in Harold Pinter's Ashes to Ashes, directed by TV and stage favourite Andrew Lancel.

The complex two-hander with cello music received a four-star Globe review.

Now producer Pauline is looking for similar critical acclaim for her latest ambitious theatrical project which runs from August 12 to 14.

Joining Pauline on stage will be Gillian Hardie and Phil Perez performing Catastrophe and Play.

Wirral Globe:

In the director's chair will be Daniel Taylor, who says he is thrilled to be working with such a passionate cast and crew.

Catastrophe is a short play written in 1982 and is one of Beckett's few works to deal with a political theme. It has been described as his most optimistic work.

Play - the second of the bill - is a one-act drama written between 1962 and 1963 and was first produced in Germany.

Pauline told the Globe she relishes a challenge and after the Pinter success she was determined to offer audiences a double-bill of Beckett.

During a break from rehearsals, Pauline (pictured below) said: ''Beckett is the precursor to Pinter and we can see why Pinter used his style."

Wirral Globe:

''I just love the minimalist writing and the discipline it demands in learning it.

''These pieces are beautiful and Catastrophe really is topical for our present situation.

''Beckett has a huge following but we also hope to bring his work to those who have never seen his work particularly during these times when perhaps we need to open our tastes to what theatre is available.''

It will also be a first for the actress teaming up with her director - Daniel Taylor,

She added: ''I have never worked with Daniel before but I can see already as rehearsals are well underway that it’s going to be great fun.''

Pauline, who lives in Oxton, was last seen on our TV screens in the BBC drama series Years and years and is now focusing on the three-day Beckett run having recently heard that the North West tour of By the Waters of Liverpool by Wirral's Rob Fennah has been cancelled due to Covid.

Daniel Taylor who is part of the Blood Brothers cast and has his own well-respected production company, says he is enjoying working on two magnificent plays.

He said: ''It's such a lovely, talented cast and, of course, there is the magic and creativity of Beckett.''

Like her previous Birkenhead production, Pauline's three-day Beckett run is supported by Arts Council England.

Beckett in Birkenhead

Christ Church

Oxton Village , CH43 5RW.

August 12, 13 and 14 at 8pm.

Tickets can be obtained from Eventbrite