Vicky Binns as Annie and David Ricardo-Pearce as Alfie

A Coronation Street favourite who was killed off in the soap’s dramatic tram crash in 2010 finds a new lease of life at The Dukes in April.

Vicky Binns, who played Molly Dobbs in the television soap, is unlucky in love again when she appears in Alfie at the Lancaster theatre, alongside David Ricardo-Pearce, seen on TV in Outnumbered and EastEnders.

Vicky takes the role of Alfie’s young, naïve girlfriend, Annie, in the 1960s classic originally starring Michael Caine in the big screen version.

“I’m thrilled to be involved in this production,” said Vicky, “and I hope that people will come along to share in the celebration of this great local work.”

In Coronation Street, Vicky was at the centre of a dramatic storyline in 2010 when her character had an affair with married father Kevin Webster with whom she had a baby son.

Before joining the soap, Vicky was a regular character in Emmerdale and has many theatre credits to her name.

Alfie is a Bolton Octagon production which will be played in The Round at The Dukes from 3rd – 7th April. The theatre is familiar territory for Alfie director, David Thacker, who was artistic director of The Dukes from 1978-84 and went on to win an Olivier Award with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

This production of Alfie marks 20 years since the death of its playwright, Bill Naughton who came from Bolton.

It tells the story of Alfie Elkins, the working class Don Juan of the East End who has women falling at his feet at the height of the Swinging Sixties. However his life soon comes apart at the seams and he starts to wonder ‘what’s it all about?’

On the first night of its Lancaster run – Thursday 3rd April – there will be a pre-show talk at 6pm with David Thacker who will speak about his approach to staging Alfie and the contrasting approaches to the work through novel, film and on stage. There will also be a post show talkback with the director and cast after this show. Both these events are free to ticket holders.

• Tickets for Alfie are priced £11-£18.50(Concessions a further £2 off).Standing £5. To book, ring The Dukes box office on 01524 598500 or visit www.dukes-lancaster.org