FORMER Hollyoaks and Bad Girls star Paul Opacic is treading the boards in a world stage premiere of thriller Gallowglass.

The production, which is directed by Michael Lunney, runs in the Main House at Salisbury Playhouse until Saturday (April 7).

Gallowglass comes from the pen of Barbara Vine, who is better known as Ruth Rendell, and has been adapted for the stage by Middle Ground Theatre Company.

“It is more of a psychological drama than a murder mystery,” Opacic says. “All the characters are in their own way are psychologically damaged.

“It is about obsession, manipulation, relationships, falling in love, there is a love affair in it as well. There is all sorts going on - there is light humour, dark humour, shocking humour, violence.”

Opacic, who is known for his roles as Carl Costello in Hollyoaks and Steve Marchant in Emmerdale, plays Paul Garnett.

“As soon as he [Michael] sent me the script I read it and thought playing the body guard, what’s not to like. Playing the tough, sensitive, hero to his daughter. He is not like a Last Action Hero, Bruce Willis kind of thing, he is just a normal guy who makes mistakes but his priority in life is always his daughter. It was just a nice piece to play. I won’t tell you too much about what happens but he has an emotional rollercoaster ride.

“He finds himself in compromising situations.”

Completing the cast is Richard Walsh (London’s Burning), Karen Drury (Brookside), Dean Smith (Last Tango in Halifax/Waterloo Road), Florence Cady (Crucible of the Vampire), Rachael Hart (Apple Tree House), Eva Sayer (The Turn Of The Screw), Matthew Wellman, Jog Maher and Joe Eyre.

Opacic says: “It is the first time this has been done on stage, it is a world premiere. It is always thrilling to be part of something that has never been done before. Nobody has done this before on the stage.

“It is daunting in one respect because you want to pay due reverence to the original piece whilst bringing a fresh take to it as well. You want it to be exciting and thrilling and you want people to come out and think that was quite something and so far so good that is what they have been doing.”

Opacic is a well-seasoned performer on the theatre stage, which is where he started his acting career - training at the Drama Centre in London with the classics like Shakespeare and Ibsen.

“I had to learn how to act on TV because the two genres are completely different,” he admits. “It is always nice to come back to theatre.

“I enjoy both genres but theatre is the more immediate and more thrilling experience because it is live every night and you are on your toes all the time.”

After finishing the theatre tour Opacic will be making a return to TV screens as Carl Costello in Hollyoaks for a “short period”.

For tickets call 01722 320333 or go to salisburyplayhouse.com