The Octagon Theatre in Bolton has unveiled the first part of its 60th anniversary season, featuring a mix of classic musicals, Shakespeare, and new plays rooted in the local community. This milestone season highlights the theatre’s history and ongoing commitment to innovative productions and new writing.

The 60th anniversary season at the Octagon Theatre Bolton begins with Cinderella: A Fairytale, directed by Sarah Punshon, running from 20 November 2026 to 9 January 2027. The family production follows Punshon’s previous work on The Jungle Book at the venue in 2024.

Iqbal Khan, who began his career at the Octagon, returns to direct a co-production of Romeo and Juliet with Derby Theatre and Hull Truck Theatre. The production will run from 4 to 27 February 2027, marking a significant highlight in the anniversary programme.

Artistic director Lotte Wakeham will direct a new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard performed by a company of actor-musicians. The collaboration with Royal and Derngate Northampton and York Theatre Royal will be staged from 2 April to 1 May 2027.

Kimberley Sykes, an alumna of the Octagon who previously worked as an assistant director, makes her main stage directing debut here with Willy Russell’s Educating Rita. Her production is scheduled for 3 June to 3 July 2027.

Central to the season is the “Bolton Trilogy” – three world premieres of new writing that focus on local stories and communities. The first play, The Forger by Ben Weatherill, directed by Wakeham, tells the story of art forger Shaun Greenhalgh and runs 9 September to 2 October 2027.

The trilogy continues with Egging by Adam Kotwal, directed by new creative associate Jonnie Riordan. This one-person comedy about Haris navigating his wedding day marks Kotwal’s professional debut and will run from 16 to 26 June 2027.

Rounding out the trilogy, the Octagon Young Company will present A Totally Unbiased History Of The Wanderers – According To My Best Mate by Becky Prestwich. Directed by Ruth Allison, this production explores themes of belonging and community through the lens of Bolton Wanderers and will take place from 19 to 21 August 2027.

The Octagon is also launching a “social theatre” group intended to offer adults creative opportunities and foster connections, continuing its long-standing ethos of community engagement and development.

Wakeham reflected on the theatre’s origins, stating the founders combined “a unique vision for a fully flexible theatre” with a “deep connection” to the people of Bolton, a vision she aims to honour through reimagining classics and championing new works rooted in the local area.

The Octagon’s 60th anniversary season demonstrates its continued dedication to nurturing emerging talent and offering diverse theatrical experiences, affirming its role as a key cultural institution in Bolton’s community life.