A WELL-KNOWN Furness actor will be turning his hand to directing for the first time, taking on one of British theatre's most popular productions.

Rob O'Hara is the new man at the helm for Ulverston Outsiders, whose production of The Importance of Being Earnest runs at the Coronation Hall from Tuesday March 21 to Saturday 25.

A veteran of dozens of productions for the amateur company, this will be the former teacher's directorial debut - and his first-ever involvement in a production of Oscar Wilde's most famous work.

He says: "I don't know why I've never been in a production of The Importance of Being Earnest, but it just hasn't come up. I think I've seen it enough to know how it should be done and, of course, there will be a lot of people in the audience who have seen it many times before.

"I did a lot of studying for this play, as it's such a classic and I want to do it justice. I read about the background to the characters and learnt as much as possible about the play - it was like sitting a GCSE."

Having moved to the area in 2002, becoming a teacher at Dowdales in Dalton, Rob joined the Outsiders two years later, and has been a mainstay of the company ever since.

While it is an exciting time, counting down the days until the opening night, the move into directing came about in unfortunate circumstances. Long-term director Shirley Britton had been due to take the role, but health issues meant that she had to step down, and she sadly passed away last week.

"Shirley had agreed to direct this one, but her health deteriorated and she said she couldn't do it, so I offered to step in," says Rob.

"She actually directed my first show for the Outsiders, and I've learnt a lot from her.

"So many people have said just what an influence she was, and how good a director she was - I will be dedicating this show to her, and there will be some kind of remembrance, I'm sure."

The team around him, however, have helped make it a seamless transition - and Rob extols the virtues of having many friends involved in the production.

Lead role Jack Worthing is played by Duncan Lindsay, with Adam Atkinson as Algy Moncrieff, Claire Boulter and Hannah Mitchell portraying the two leading ladies, Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew, Jenny Schofield as the formidable Lady Bracknell, and Miss Prism is played by Helen Newell.

Richard Harris makes a welcome return as Canon Chasuble, and Lane and Merriman are played by David Coles and Seamus Doran.

Rob says:"If you were directing a group of strangers, then your reputation would count for a lot; if you are unknown then that would clearly be a hurdle you'd have to get over to get the respect of the cast.

"In that respect, it's easier for me on my first time directing to be working with people that I know.

"My teaching background has definitely helped, and I can feel that coming through. I know that when people are praised and encouraged, they respond better, so I always try and find something positive to say.

"I think a lot of people don't realise how much work is involved in directing, and it's probably even more work on a local production like this - other people perceive it to be the director's play, so you have to make sure it is exactly how you want it.

"You have to think about more than just directing - things like rehearsals and knowing when people are needed or when they can sit out a rehearsal.

"I've got a fantastic team around me, and they have made my job easier."

The Outsiders continue to pack out the Coronation Hall, having first performed a major production at the venue 79 years ago, and the company had its biggest turn-out for auditions in recent years ahead of this production.

It marks a new era for them - and a new era for Rob, who can't wait to see how his first production comes to life on the stage.

He says: "More people auditioned for this play than probably any other that I've been involved with, and even the ones who didn't get a part were of a high standard. So we have a terrific cast, with no weak points, which is good for me.

"I've learnt a lot from the many plays I've performed in, so I know what I like and the things that directors do that I don't like, so it's about doing things the way I would want it if I was in the cast.

"I'm very excited about it, and we have a fabulous cast who have worked very hard in rehearsals, so I am looking forward to it."

The Importance of Being Earnest runs at the Coronation Hall from March 21 to 25, at 7.30pm each night. Tickets available from the venue's box office.