The pressure of acting the role of a footballing legend in front of die-hard fans - and his wife - must be as stomach-churning as a big match itself.

For that reason, Colin Tarrant, who plays former Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough in The Spirit of The Man, did not want to know which night his widow, Barbara Clough, would be in the audience.

"When you're playing a legend in your own backyard in a play about your team, that's pressure enough -- it's a terrifying prospect," says Colin. "I said, 'please don't tell me when Mrs Clough and her family are here', or I'd get even more nervous.

"So they told me after the show that she had been in and had enjoyed it. We have her full support, which was very important to me."

At first glance The Spirit of The Man looks like a straightforward biography. However, writer Stephen Lowe takes Cloughie away from the football pitch for a fictional turn of events.

The play opens in heaven. We learn that, when inspirational people die, they are sent to a holding room, ready for a call to take them back to Earth to assist in matters relating to their own areas of expertise.

When a garbled message arrives mentioning the words "forest" and "lost", Brian decides the call is for him. Instead, he finds - lost in the forest - a troubled playwright named Jimmy, who is suffering acute writer's block.

"He has to give him advice but does so using football terminology. He urges him on, like a coach would a team," Colin explains.

"It's not gag after gag, although there is plenty of comedy. It manages to show the serious bits without being po-faced or grave."

Colin, who played Inspector Monroe in The Bill, is a lifelong Forest supporter and admirer of Brian Clough. His portryal of the great man is said to be uncanny.

"I've always done this impression of Cloughie, which has them giggling in green rooms or at parties. I'm no Rory Bremner but people think it's quite accurate - and it's finally earning me money.

"After getting the part my only research was reading the script. I've been researching Brian Clough all my life. Like Paul McCartney or John Lennon, I grew up watching him. He's wired into my DNA."

Brian Clough, who died of stomach cancer in 2004, was a man of strong character and emotions. Seen as a master among football managers, he transformed the fortunes of two rival clubs - Derby County and Nottingham Forest. He also had stints managing Brighton and Leeds, among others.

"If you can bottle what Brian Clough had you would make a fortune," says Colin. "The man had incredible talent in his chosen field and a wonderful wit. He was a genuine working class hero."

This tour will be the first time the play has been performed outside the North-East.

"I don't think it's easy, selling a play about a manager of a football team," says Colin. "Brian Clough isn't everybody's cup of tea.

"But don't be put off if you don't like football. You will still have a good night out with some laughs and some thought-provoking scenes, which capture the spirit of Brian Clough."

Starts 7.45pm, plus 2.30pm mat Thurs & Sat. Tickets cost £13-£22. Call 0870 9008488