A THEATRE company which helps deaf and disabled actors take centre stage has teamed up with Bolton's Octagon for its writing programme.

Graeae has announced the second year of Write to Play, in partnership with the Octagon and also Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre and the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse.

Over the course of one year, five writers will each aim to create a full-length play by working with some of the most creative minds in the industry.

The initiative is committed to developing the skills and experience of deaf and disabled writers.

Elizabeth Newman, associate director at the Octagon Theatre, said: "Working with Graeae, the Royal Exchange and the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse on Write to Play is a thrilling prospect for the Octagon.

"The five writers who've been selected are witty, smart and dynamic. Each writer has their own distinct authorial voice and it's a privilege to be working with them.

"We look forward to welcoming the playwrights to our theatre in a couple of months and helping them to see the Octagon as their new home."

The writers selected for the second year of the Write to Play programme are Helen East, Karen Featherstone, Jackie Hagan, Helen Martin and Danni Skerritt.

The year-long programme includes an intensive course in the art of playwriting, specialist workshops, mentoring sessions and opportunities to have short pieces of work performed in front of an audience.

As well as providing the writers with the opportunity to develop their skills, it will also introduce a new generation of deaf and disabled playwrights to the wider theatre landscape.

Amit Sharma, associate director of London-based Graeae Theatre Company, said: "I could not be more excited to take Write to Play to the North West of England.

"We go into this second year more confident in knowing that providing a platform for deaf and disabled writers to explore and develop their work will lead to more opportunities for generations to come."

The first year of Write to Play developed five promising playwrights — Sean Burn, Amy Bethan Evans, Rosaleen McDonagh, Tom Wentworth and Nicky Werenowska, in partnership with London theatres, the Royal Court, the National Theatre Studio and the Soho Theatre.

The Write to Play programme is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the Arts Council England and Backstage Trust.