A MUSICAL theatre actor will star in a romantic and moving tale of love and tragedy in Bolton from Thursday.

The Octagon Theatre will bring its current season to a close with Love Story, inspired by Erich Segal’s best-selling novel which was made into a 1970 hit film.

Daniel Boys appeared in the 2007 BBC talent search Any Dream Will Do to find an actor to play Joseph in a West End revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

He will appear as privileged Harvard alumni Oliver Barrett IV at the Octagon from Thursday, June 19, to Saturday, July 12.

Daniel, who recently played Sir Lancelot in the Monty Python musical comedy Spamalot at London’s Playhouse Theatre alongside Jodie Prenger and Joe Pasquale, said: “It’s about love and everyone in the audience will have experienced love but it’s not in a cheesy way.

“It’s written so well. You can’t help but be moved by it.”

Two worlds collide when spirited Italian-American Jennifer Cavilleri and wealthy Oliver fall in love — a love that endures in the face of adversity, through family opposition to their marriage and devastating personal tragedy.

Jennifer is being played by 26-year-old Lauren Samuels, a finalist in the Andrew Lloyd-Webber BBC series Over the Rainbow.

This stage version of Love Story, by Stephen Clark, will be the first time it has been performed outside of the West End, and features a brand new score by Howard Goodall CBE.

The 35-year-old said: "I am thrilled that Love Story is coming to the Octagon Theatre Bolton, especially as my earlier musical, The Hired Man, enjoyed such a wonderful revival four years ago at the theatre.

“It is also exciting for me that two of the West End's most brilliant and sought-after leading actors will be playing Jenny and Oliver, I really look forward to seeing them in action.”

Daniel was the seventh wannabe Joseph to be eliminated from Any Dream Will Do but has gone on to have a successful career, including appearances on TV, in West End musicals, national tours and releasing a solo album.

He has also shared stages with the likes of John Barrowman, Olivia Newton John and Chita Rivera.

He said: “Any Dream Will Do was seven years ago now, it was quite a while.

“I had been an actor before I went on the show.

“I honestly wanted to play the part of Joseph so I treated it like any other audition process.

“I’m not stupid, I realise going on a show like that is going to help you professionally.

“You are in this bubble for such a long time. I was living in the Joseph house for three weeks before it even went on air and then I was in it for seven weeks.

“I’m very proud that I took part in it. I didn’t win but I don’t think it’s done me any damage.
“He is the Lord Lloyd Webber, he is one of the most famous theatre composers in the world really, for our generation.”

It was at a young age that Daniel realised he wanted to pursue a career in musical theatre and he went on to land a Cameron Mackintosh scholarship to study at the Guildford School of Acting, graduating in 2001.

Daniel, who says a highlight of his career was appearing in Avenue Q for two-and-a-half years, said: “I’ve got two brothers and a sister and our parents took us a lot to musicals, the theatre and West End shows.

“I remember seeing Starlight Express and being in awe and thinking, I have to do that.”

Love Story is at the Octagon from Thursday, June 19, to Saturday, July 12. Phone 01204 520661 for tickets or visit octagonbolton.co.uk.