WHEN the artistic director of a Bolton theatre first saw one of Arthur Miller's most powerful plays, it moved him to tears.

Now, almost 40 years later, David Thacker is bringing A View from the Bridge to Bolton, in celebration of the centenary of the late playwright's birth in October 1915.

Reaffirming the theatre's commitment to American drama, the celebrated story of loyalty, community and possessive love will be at the Octagon from Thursday, January 15 to Saturday, February 14.

In Brooklyn, longshoreman Eddie Carbone welcomes his Sicilian cousins to the land of the American Dream. But when one of them falls for his beautiful niece, they discover that freedom comes at a price and Eddie’s jealous mistrust exposes a deep, unspeakable secret — one that could ultimately tear his family apart.

David said: “It’s a play of great importance, generally and personally.

"When I first saw it in 1975, I was knocked out by it.

"I'd never before seen a play with that combination of qualities. It was utterly gripping and psychologically very accurate; it was the first time I'd seen a great play with a working class tragic hero, and it made me cry."

David had a close working relationship with the writer, stemming from his years as artistic director at the Young Vic theatre and A View from the Bridge was David’s first experience of Miller, having watched Bob Charlton’s production of the same play in York, many years before.

He said: "Years later I was able to direct A View from the Bridge with Bernard Hill, Charlotte Cornwell and a young Joe Fiennes.

"By this time I had got to know Arthur Miller and had worked closely with him on a number of occasions so I was able to discuss the play with him during the pre-production and rehearsal period.

"I was delighted, though very nervous, when he came to see the production in the West End. Although he was very complimentary about the production I felt I had unfinished business with the play.

"I'm delighted to have the opportunity to direct it again and hope that I will benefit from everything that I have learned since."

The production welcomes the return of Octagon favourites, actor and award-winning director Colin Connor, playing Eddie Carbone, and Tristan Brooke, as Rudolpho.

New to the Octagon is David Nabil Stuart, playing Marco, Natasha Davidson, playing Catherine and James Quinn, as Louis.

David added: "I'm thrilled with the cast and creative team that I have been able to assemble and am looking forward to continuing the relationship with ALRA North that developed with Journey's End and Early One Morning, giving 30 or so students the opportunity to be involved in the production.

"Returning to the play after all these years it seems even more modern and important to be staged in a general election year.

"With the hysteria about immigration that is being whipped up I can think of no more powerful contribution we can make at the Octagon than to encourage our audience to empathise with the plight of the illegal immigrants in the play who are working hard and desperately trying to save a few dollars to send home to their families.

"2015 is the centenary of Arthur Miller's birth and I'm very proud that A View from the Bridge will be the first of many productions throughout 2015 that will honour this truly remarkable man.”

A View from the Bridge is at the Octagon from Thursday, January 15 until Saturday, February 14. Phone 01204 520661 for tickets.