Bolton Octagon has released audio recordings of 10 monologues—winners of its One Night In Bolton creative writing competition.
They invited entries inspired by the play which was due to be the opening performance at the theatre after two years of construction.
The monologues are performed by Bolton and Greater Manchester actors with the recordings released online over the summer and a selection broadcast on BBC Radio Manchester. The cast includes Bolton actor and BAFTA nominee Ruth Madeley, known for her role in the BBC drama Years and Years. She will be performing The Queen of Bolton Baths by Pegeen Murphy which depicts how a young girl's imagination runs wild the day the Queen visits Bolton. Madeley will also be performing Results Day by Ciaran Forrest, a poem exploring the events of the night after a teenager’s exam results are announced.
Lights Out by Bill Hodson is voiced by Manchester actor Daon Broni—a football-themed monologue reminiscing about Bolton Wanderers’ final game at Burnden Park. Daon will also be performing Nowt Worth More than Sand by Ibrahim Ismail, a story of how a young boy learns the true value of his family's belongings.
Local actor Shaban Dar is voicing Olympic Torch: Once in a Lifetime by under-18 category winner James Storey, a funny account of a family gathering in Bolton to watch the Olympic Torch in 2012. Shaban will also be performing Roots by Linda Downs, a monologue about a family from Pakistan making their new home in the town.
Bolton-born musical theatre performer Claire Moore, who has starred in Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, Follies and Les Misérables, makes her Octagon debut performing Grandma’s Chippy Night by Julie Worthington, childhood memories of the importance of food, family and coming together. She will also be voicing The Constance Carroll Smile by Lisa Allen, a poem that looks back on the highs and lows of a night on the town in the 1980s.
Completing the cast is local actor Karla Marie Sweet performing Pilgrimage to Bolton by Zoe Iqbal, a group of teenage friends who venture into Bolton in search of a good night out. Karla will also be bringing to life The Same by Loraine Knockton, a woman who takes a leap of faith and explores her true feelings.
The winning entries will be released daily online on the Octagon’s web site and social media channels from July 27.