A FAMILY of actors will find life coming full circle when they tread the boards in the comedy Tom Jones this month.

Bruno and Catherine Cook, of Hubert Road, Newport, had not long been married when they took leading roles in Newport Playgoers' first production of Tom Jones 23 years ago.

Bruno played the lead role of Tom, and Catherine his young lover, Molly.

And it was during rehearsals for the show that Catherine discovered she was pregnant with their first child, Lewis.

Now Lewis is taking the role of Tom Jones played by his father, and both Bruno and Catherine are also in the production at the Dolman Theatre. "We're thrilled and delighted that Lewis is following in his dad's footsteps," said Catherine, a freelance writer.

"Many members of our society remember the 1981 production, and there has been a great deal of reminiscing.

"This time, Bruno is playing the part of Captain Fitzpatrick and I am Susan, and although we have more grey hairs now, it is with great fondness that we remember this play.

"Maybe in the future Lewis will have a son who one day will be performing in this role and history will repeat itself again!"

Website designer Lewis is an experienced actor and singer who made his stage debut at the age of three.

"I'm really enjoying this production, and I've picked up loads of tips from my dad," he said. "It's a great part, in a great play - no-one could fail to enjoy playing a part where you're pursued by loads of gorgeous women, and I can see why my dad loved it! But it's also quite strange playing a Casanova under the watchful eye of your parents!

"Rehearsals have been great fun and we're all really looking forward to the production at the Dolman, and we're then taking the play to the summer festival at the outdoor Minack Theatre, in Cornwall."

The production will become a real family affair when the Cooks travel to Porthcurno, near Land's End. Daughter Anna, studying at Warwick University for a degree in theatre and performance studies, will be joining the crew and working front of house.

Tom Jones, directed by Sue Morgan, is at the Dolman Theatre from June 13-18 and at the Minack Theatre from July 4-8.