The Octagon Theatre announces their 60th Anniversary Season Launch

Ambitious revivals, bold new commissions and innovative community work form a 60th anniversary season that celebrates this uniquely flexible theatre at the Octagon in Bolton.

‘When the Octagon was conceived in 1966 there was no other fully flexible professional theatre of its kind in Britain. It was unique.’ - Phil Butterworth

For the last 60 years the Octagon has been a linchpin of cultural activity in Bolton and the North West, providing residents not only with the opportunity to see incredible plays performed by exceptional actors but also inviting them to become part of the ever-growing community that is the Octagon Theatre. Originally conceived by five passionate students and their drama lecturer Robin Pemberton-Billing, this unique theatre has exceeded the expectations of everyone involved. When it opened to the public in November 1967 not only did Bolton have its first producing theatre, but the North West became home to the most innovative and unique theatre space in the UK, one which Robin, his colleagues and Bolton stakeholders had designed to showcase excellence and prioritize community.

Sixty years on, this original vision remains strong under the Artistic Direction of Lotte Wakeham. This 60th anniversary season celebrates everything that the six founders envisaged: bold revivals of celebrated classics Sunset Boulevard and Educating Rita sit alongside the ‘Bolton Trilogy’, three new commissions that place Bolton stories at the heart of the action - The Forger, Egging and A Totally Unbiased History Of The Wanderers - According To My Best Mate, plus a multitude of ways to get involved from our new Social Theatre group for adults, to our Young Octagon Company. On hearing of the Octagon’s proposed development in 1966 theatre director Hugh Hunt commented…

‘Just as Bolton is proud of its Wanderers, though not everyone may go to see them play, so too might this city be proud of its theatre – of the plays that could emanate from it and of the actors to whom it could give birth’

The Octagon’s Sixtieth Anniversary season includes:

• After her incredible production of Jungle Book wowed audiences in 2024 director Sarah Punshon makes a triumphant return to the Octagon with Cinderella: A Fairytale a funny, high-energy show designed for the whole family to enjoy. (Fri 20 Nov 2026 – Sat 9 Jan 2027)

• In a co-production with Derby Theatre and Hull Truck Theatre, Octagon presents Romeo & Juliet in a stunning retelling of this tragic love story. This is directed by celebrated director Iqbal Khan. Having started his career here, he makes a welcome return to the Octagon in this anniversary year. (Thu 4 – Sat 27 Feb 2027)

• A powerful reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard directed by Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham is performed by a company of actor-musicians to create an intimate new production that places music, storytelling and audience closer than ever before, celebrating Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic score. The is the first new professional production to be created by a theatre in the North of England and is a co-production between Octagon Theatre Bolton, Royal and Derngate Northampton and York Theatre Royal. (Fri 2 Apr – Sat 1 May 2027)

• Willy Russell’s classic drama Educating Rita is packed with sharp wit, warmth and unforgettable characters. This much-loved comedy explores class, confidence and the transformative power of education. It is directed by acclaimed RSC director Kimberley Skyes, who began her career as an assistant director at the Octagon, and returns to make her
Octagon main stage directing debut. (Thu 3 Jun – Sat 3 July)




• In the first of three World Premieres, Ben Weatherill’s The Forger tells the story of how one of the greatest art frauds in history began in a garden shed in Bolton. Directed by Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham, this brand-new play charts the story of talented but overlooked artist Shaun Greenhalgh and the unbelievable story that put Bolton at the centre of the international art world. (Thu 9 Sep – Sat 2 Oct 2027)

• Egging by Adam Kotwal is the second new commission in the ‘Bolton Trilogy’. The day before his wedding, Haris has one mission: don't get egged. This joyous new one-person comedy is a hilarious and heartfelt journey through love, family and faith and the tradition of ‘egging’ the groom. Directed by the Octagon’s new Creative Associate, Jonnie Riordan, Egging marks the exciting professional debut of Adam Kotwal as a playwright, having won the inaugural Lancaster Playwrighting Prize. (Wed 16 – Sat 26 Jun 2027)

• The Octagon Young Company will present the third World Premiere of the season - A Totally Unbiased History Of The Wanderers - According To My Best Mate by Becky Prestwich. Celebrating the community that calls Bolton Wanderers ‘Home’ this beautiful new play is about belonging, community and finding your people. Directed by Ruth Allison, this production will also feature an adult community company. (Thu 19 – Sat 21 Aug 2027)

• The Octagon's new theatre group Social Theatre launches, which is a new relaxed, friendly group for adults who want to have fun, make connections and be creative together.

Lotte Wakeham, Artistic Director said:
“As artistic director of this extraordinary theatre it was always my intention to stay true to the ethos that was set out by its founders. The brilliant tenacity of those five students and their drama lecturer was just the beginning of a wonderful creative journey for Bolton. Not only did this ground-breaking team have a unique vision for a fully flexible theatre that would serve their artistic ambitions beautifully, they also knew that without the support of Boltonians, their dreams were a non-starter.  The two had to go hand in hand, and I hope that we are keeping that vision alive sixty years on.

Making and commissioning work for this truly unique space is an honour. Reimaging huge theatrical epics like Sunset Boulevard and Romeo and Juliet is as exciting as it is challenging and I cannot wait to share this work with our audiences. Championing new writing has always been at the heart of the Octagon, and I am delighted that this season includes the Bolton Trilogy: three new plays by ambitious playwrights who are all sharing stories that are rooted in Bolton and its communities.
These stories might be embedded here, but the themes of relationships, passion and community are far reaching. I’m also thrilled to be working with so many incredible artists across the season, both on stage and off. It’s been brilliant to reflect on the countless theatrical careers which have been forged here over the last six decades, and we’re committed to helping the next generation of theatre makers to thrive. As part of that commitment, our work with communities continues to grow. Working with Gareth, our Director of Creative Engagement and Impact, we want our 60th year to mark an important step towards our long-term ambition: for every young person to have the opportunity to connect with the Octagon, whether through a school trip, a workshop or a programme such as our Young Company.

I am delighted to celebrate sixty incredible years of the Octagon and cannot wait to see what the next sixty years will bring.”

Over six decades, the Octagon has brought an extraordinary range of artists and theatre makers to Bolton, while helping to launch and shape some remarkable careers. From its earliest days, the theatre buzzed with creative ambition, presenting music, dance and film alongside its pioneering repertory work and placing education and community at the heart of its programme. Since then, an estimated 4 million people have been entertained at the Octagon, while artists including Danny
Boyle, Vanessa Kirby, Fiona Shaw, Kwame Kwei-Armah, Es Devlin and Maxine Peake have all trained or worked at the theatre - part of generations of actors, directors, designers and creatives who have
made the Octagon a vital part of Bolton’s cultural life.

Roddy Gauld, CEO said :

“This is just the first part of our anniversary programme, with much more to come over the next two years. I’m thrilled with the confidence and range of the work we’re producing: musicals, new plays, classics and there’s much more in development too. Our anniversary is not only a celebration of our past, but a launch moment for our future. Next year, we’ll be relaunching our studio with a vibrant new on-stage and on-screen programme, combining theatre and film events. Our creative
engagement programme will be working with communities and young people across Bolton, enabling future creative talent and ideas. And we’re announcing a pioneering fundraising drive, Sponsor a Story, so that our supporters can be involved in developing new plays that will be on our stage in the years ahead. This exciting first part of our anniversary, blending global hit musicals with fantastic local stories, is the perfect expression of our ambitions.”

SEE WHAT'S ON AT THE OCTAGON THEATRE, BOLTON