AFTER a season of drama, the volume is being turned up at the Octagon with a musical version of an acclaimed novel.

I Capture the Castle is based Dodie Smith’s international bestseller and will be brought to life on the Bolton stage later this month after a successful world premiere in Watford.

Set in Bohemian England of the 1930s, the warm and sharply funny coming-of-age tale has been adapted by script writer Teresa Howard and tells the story through the eyes of seventeen-year-old narrator Cassandra.

The original music by composer Steven Edis has influences of swing, tango, beguine, English folksong and a hint of Cole Porter and is being produced under the direction of artistic director of the Watford Palace Theatre, Brigid Larmour.

One of the most successful female dramatists of her generation, Dodie is best known for writing The Hundred and One Dalmatians.

Elizabeth Newman, artistic director of the Octagon Theatre, said: “I Capture the Castle is a brilliantly heart-warming and uplifting novel, with great depths of emotion and humour.

“It is incredibly exciting to bring such a vibrant story to life here in Bolton with the talented team of creatives and cast.

“Brigid, Steven, and Teresa have created a beautiful, brand new piece of work, and it is a joy for me, the Octagon, and for Bolton to be a part of this new chapter in the life of Dodie Smith’s amazing and iconic novel. We can’t wait to share it.”

The musical follows Cassandra and her diary charting life with her eccentric family.

They are behind with the rent for the tumbledown castle that, seeming so romantic when they moved in, now has a leaking roof and the family is forced to survive on oatcakes and eggs.

But the new landlord is a wealthy young American, with an attractive younger brother, and spring is in the air.

Lowri Izzard will be playing the role of seventeen-year old Cassandra, with Suzanne Ahmet as her unconventional stepmother, Topaz, and Kate Batter as irritating older sister, Rose.

Ben Watson will be taking on the role of the girls' father James, a novelist who hasn’t written a word in years.

Theo Boyce and Luke Dale will be playing the American brothers, Simon and Neil.

Julia St John takes on the role of Mrs Cotton, Isaac Stanmore will be playing the role of Cassandra’s admirer, Stephen, an orphan who lives with the family and Shona White takes on the role of Leda.

Ms Larmour said: “There is something magical about Dodie Smith’s story.

“Steven and Teresa have written a fresh, passionate adaptation, and it is exciting to be reimagining this extraordinary book.”

I Capture the Castle will be at the Octagon from April 26 to May 6. For more information call 01204 520661 or visit octagonbolton.co.uk.