Octagon Theatre reveals exciting line-up for new season

A UK premiere, two acclaimed revivals, a literary classic and a comedy-caper adaptation of an iconic thriller are just part of an exciting new season of shows announced by Bolton’s Octagon Theatre.

Octagon Artistic Director, Lotte Wakeham said: “Our new season really has something on offer for everyone to enjoy. We know Octagon audiences love adaptations of novels and classic films, so we are thrilled to have an array of unmissable productions, including stories from some of literature’s most beloved authors.”

The new programme begins with return of two productions which delighted audiences when they were first performed.

Polly Lister as Old Major in Animal Farm at The Octagon earlier this year (Picture: Pamela Raith)Animal Farm which was at the Octagon earlier this year will be back from Wednesday, January 29 to Saturday, February 1 before embarking on a UK tour.

Mina Anwar will reprise her role as Shirley Valentine from 2020 (Picture: The Other Richard)Then Mina Anwar will return in Shirley Valentine, Willy Russell’s much-loved comedy which was a sell-out when it was staged at Bolton Library in 202 while the Octagon was undergoing a multi-million pound transformation.

It will run from Friday, February 7 to Saturday, March 8.

Of Mice and MenThe Octagon then presents a compelling new production of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men (Wednesday, March 26 to Saturday, April 12. Directed by Sarah Brigham, it’s a co-production with Derby Theatre, Hull Truck Theatre and Theatre by the Lake.

The 39 StepsHitchcock as you’ve never seen it before is up next with the award-winning comedy version of The 39 Steps (Wednesday, April 16 to Saturday, May 10.

Pride and Prejudice will be a UK premiereThe season continues with the UK premiere production of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice adapted by award-winning playwright Kate Hamill and directed by Lotte Wakeham (Thursday, June 5 to Saturday, June 28).

Other theatre highlights throughout the season include John Godber’s love letter to the Northern Soul scene, Do I Love You? (Tuesday, March 11 to Saturday, March 15); Blackeyed Theatre’s powerful stage adaptation of Bram Stokers gothic classic Dracula (Wednesday May 21 to Saturday, May 24) and an hilarious re-telling of the Arthurian legend with King Arthur from Le Navet Bete, writers of previous Octagon favourites The Time Machine: A Comedy and Dracula: The Bloody Truth (Tuesday, September 30 to Saturday, October 4).

Lotte Wakeham said: “I’m particularly excited to be directing the UK premiere of award-winning playwright Kate Hamill’s brilliant adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

“Two of our sell-out productions from recent years – Animal Farm and Shirley Valentine - are also making a welcome return to our stage, and I am delighted that our audiences get to see them first, before they embark on tours across the UK.

“We have also got some of the biggest touring shows from across the country coming to Bolton from hilarious comedy to powerful drama to sensational music tributes.

“We pride ourselves on offering our audiences unrivalled theatrical experiences and I’m confident that we have a real variety of top quality entertainment for everyone to enjoy this spring and summer.”

Comedy shows lined up include Frankenstein on a Budge and Murder She Didn’t Write plus a night of stand-up with Jason Moorhouse.

Music lovers can look forward to tributes to Motown, El;vis, the Small Faces and the Beatles.

A Christmas CarolThe Octagon has also revealed that it’s festive production for 2025 will be a musical adaptation of the favourite Dickensian classic, A Christmas Carol which will run from Thursday, November 13 2025 to Saturday, January 10, 2026.