Racing start to Octagon season

Published: 27 November 2022
Reporter: David Upton

Bolton Octagon season

The Octagon Theatre’s 2023 programme in Bolton sees the Northern comedy Ladies’ Day (March 8–April 1) in a co-production with the New Vic Theatre.

Four women bet on friendship as they head off for a day at the races.

Original Theatre present a retelling of H G Wells’s The Time Machine (April 12–22). This is followed by a revival of Regency comedy Quality Street (April 25–May 6) presented by Northern Broadsides and the New Vic. Schoolmistress Phoebe Throssel must adopt a flirtatious alter-ego to win back her old flame.

The season also includes the European première of Lauren Gunderson’s The Book Of Will (May 17–June 3) in a co-production with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Shakespeare North Playhouse. It follows Shakespeare’s acting troupe, The King’s Men, as they band together in a race against time to gather the Bard’s scattered masterpieces.

In the summer, journey back to the 1940s when The Blonde Bombshells Of 1943 (June 9–July 1) returns to the Octagon stage in a new co-production with Stephen Joseph Theatre and Theatre by the Lake.

Alan Plater’s witty musical play is filled with live swing music.

Looking ahead to Christmas 2023, there’s a new musical adaptation of Around The World In 80 Days (November 16–January 13) penned by Kate Ferguson and Susannah Pearse.

    Related listings

  • Ladies’ Day - Amanda Whittington (New Vic and Octagon Theatre, Bolton)
  • The Time Machine - Steven Canny & John Nicholson, adapted from the novel by H G Wells (Original Theatre)
  • The Book Of Will - Lauren Gunderson (Octagon Theatre Bolton, Queen's Theatre Hornchurch & Shakespeare North Playhouse)
  • The Blonde Bombshells of 1943 - Alan Plater (Theatre by the Lake, Octagon Theatre Bolton and Stephen Joseph Theatre)
  • Around The World In 80 Days - Based on the novel by Jules Verne, a new musical adaptation by Kate Ferguson & Susannah Pearse (Octagon Theatre Bolton)

*Some links, including Amazon, Stageplays.com, ATG Tickets, LOVEtheatre, BTG Tickets, Ticketmaster, The Ticket Factory, LW Theatres and QuayTickets, are affiliate links for which BTG may earn a small fee at no extra cost to the purchaser.

Are you sure?