THE fictional tale of Dr David Banner and his green shirt-ripping alter ego, The Incredible Hulk, is not the only look at one man's struggle with two personas . . .

The story's roots could be found in Robert Louis Stevenson's chilling tale 'Jekyll & Hyde' - about a brilliant doctor who experiments with human personality and creates a murderous counterpart - which comes to the Liverpool Empire as a musical next week.

Convinced the cure for his father's mental illness lies in the separation of man's evil nature from his good, Dr Jekyll unwittingly unleashes his own dark side, wreaking havoc in the streets of late 19th Century London as the savage, maniacal Edward Hyde.

The show stars Paul Nicholas, probably better known to millions as Vince Pinner in the 1980s BBC comedy 'Just Good Friends'.

Speaking from his London home, the 58-year-old Cambridgeshire-born entertainer told me that 'Jekyll & Hyde' was done originally as an American double CD and the musical toured the USA in the early '90s.

His role as Vince in 'Just Good Friends' is just one stage in a showbusiness career of more than 35 years. In that time, Paul has appeared in numerous West End musicals, including 'Cats' and 'Barnum'. Paul was at the Liverpool Empire last year, playing Tevye the milkman in a UK tour of 'Fiddler on the Roof'. In 2006, he travels across the Atlantic Ocean to co-produce 'Grease' on Broadway. "I owe my life to stage shows," he said. "It's nice to get involved in the production and performance sides of the show.

"I never really have time off. The thing about shows is that they only last for six weeks or so, so when one finishes all I do is look for the next one. I have tried to play golf, but I'm no good at it."

The show's Liverpool Empire run ends next Saturday (November 13). Tickets are available from Ticketmaster on 0870 606 3536.

The Globe has teamed up with the Liverpool Empire to give away three pairs of tickets for the opening night on Tuesday, November 9, one of which can be yours in a simple-to-enter competition. To be in with a chance of winning, answer this question:-

Can you name another story by Robert Louis Stevenson?

Send your answers to: Jekyll & Hyde Contest, Wirral Globe, Globe House, Catherine Street, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 6HW. Please remember to include your name, address and daytime contact phone number.

Closing date is next Monday (November 8) when the first three correct entries will each receive a pair of tickets. Good luck!