A TASTE of Broadway and the West End is coming to Bolton.

Harwood singer James Edgington has created a show featuring new songs, as well as numbers from stage favourites including Wicked and Miss Saigon.

The former Bolton School pupil came up with the idea for Voices & Lyrics, being staged at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, on Friday, after noticing a lack of cabaret-style, musical theatre nights in the North West.

Mr Edgington, company director of G&J Productions, said: “It’s totally new for the North West because it’s showcasing new musical theatre.

“Musical theatre has become a genre now of music where writers are writing standalone songs. It’s pretty exciting for performers to do those songs that are just incredible.

“I’m hosting it, I’ll introduce the vocalists.”

A cast of 12, including Britain’s Got Talent finalist Olivia Archbold, actress Harriet Waters, from ITV's Scott & Bailey, and ITV's Grease is the Word finalist Hayley Hampson, will be accompanied by a pianist for an intimate night filled with emotion, laughter and excitement.

A fan of the new generation of musical theatre writers such as Scott Alan, Katie Thompson and Jonathan Reid Gealt, the 30-year-old has put together what he promises be an exceptional night of fantastic songs.

Mr Edgington, one half of singing duo Father & Son with dad Graham, who made the finals of Britain's Got Talent in 2010, said: “I’ve had a particular song sent to me personally by a writer called Dougal Irvine, which is just brilliant and was recently performed by Avenue Q star Julie Atherton in concert.

“To get this response from a writer is great especially because we can extend some fantastic songs to an audience outside the West End.”

  • Voices & Lyrics will be at the Octagon Theatre Bolton on Friday, March 14, at 7.30pm. Tickets are sold out.