BOLTON'S Octagon scooped two awards at a ceremony to celebrate the region's theatre talent.

Clare Foster won the Best Actress award for her roles in Duet For One and Separation — beating competition including Maxine Peake who played Hamlet at the Royal Exchange.

David Birrell, who played Osborne in Journey’s End, was named Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Manchester Theatre Awards.

The event was held at the Royal Northern College of Music on Friday and celebrity guests included West End star Jodie Prenger, actress Jane Asher and Mike Joyce from The Smiths.

In Duet for One, Clare played wheelchair-bound Stephanie Abrahams — a character inspired by the life of professional cellist Jacqueline Du Pré who contracted MS in 1972 and had to give up her remarkable career.

In Separation, she played Sarah — a young American actress with a degenerative illness who strikes up a relationship with English agoraphobic playwright Joe.

Both productions were directed by Elizabeth Newman, who will take over from David Thacker as the Octagon's artistic director in July, and starred West End actor Rob Edwards.

Miss Foster, who played PC Millie Brown in ITV’s The Bill, said: "I'm elated, over the moon.

"I was thinking I was going to be sat there and clapping for Maxine Peake."

Also nominated in the Best Actress category were Natalie Grady, for Hobson’s Choice, a co-production with Bolton Octagon Theatre, Oldham Coliseum Theatre and Newcastle’s New Vic Theatre; Lauren Samuels, in Love Story, at the Octagon, and Suranne Jones, in Orlando, at the Royal Exchange.

Miss Foster added: "There were a lot from the Octagon which was brilliant. It speaks volumes for the work they are doing.

"Every production that Elizabeth was involved in was nominated."

Ms Newman — whose productions of Love Story and Alice In Wonderland were also nominated — said: "I am utterly thrilled that Clare has been recognised for her sterling work.

"Her and Rob are astounding actors and it was utterly wonderful to work with them on those productions."

Mr Thacker, director of Journey’s End, went on stage to pick up Mr Birrell's award for his appearance in RC Sherriff's play of the horrors of the First World War.

He read a message on behalf of Mr Birrell which said: "I count myself extremely lucky to be involved in this particular production at that wonderful theatre."

Journey’s End and Separation were nominated for Best Production but lost out to Angel Meadow, directed by Louise Lowe and company for ANU Productions and HOME, at Edinburgh Castle, Ancoats.

WINNERS

Best Production

Angel Meadow, directed by Louise Lowe and company for ANU Productions and HOME, at Edinburgh Castle, Ancoats

Best Actor

Harry McEntire, in Billy Liar, at the Royal Exchange

Best Actress

Clare Foster, in Duet For One and Separation, at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

David Birrell, in Journey’s End, at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Gillian Bevan, in Hamlet, at the Royal Exchange

Best Actor in a Visiting Production

Antony Sher, in Henry IV Parts I and II, at The Lowry

Best Actress in a Visiting Production

Katherine Kingsley, in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, at the Opera House

Best Visiting Production

The Curious Incident Of the Dog In The Night-Time, from the National Theatre, at The Lowry

The Brynteg Award for Best Musical

Jersey Boys, at the Palace Theatre

Robert Robson Award for Dance

Le Corsaire, from English National Ballet, at the Palace Theatre

Opera

Götterdämmerung, from Opera North, at The Lowry

Design

Romeo and Juliet, at HOME at Victoria Baths

Best Newcomer

Emily Barber, in Billy Liar, at the Royal Exchange

Best New Play

An August Bank Holiday Lark, by Deborah McAndrew, at Oldham Coliseum

Best Studio Production

He Had Hairy Hands, from Kill The Beast Company, at the Lowry Studio

Best Fringe Production

Thick As Thieves, from Hard Graft Theatre Company, at ReTale, Oldham Mumps

Best Studio Performance

Sinèad Matthews, in Pests, at the Royal Exchange Studio

Best Fringe Performance

Kaitlin Howard, in The Alphabet Girl, at the Kings Arms, Salford

Best Ensemble

Angel Meadow, at HOME, the Edinburgh Castle, Ancoats

Best Special Entertainment

Barry Humphries, in Eat, Pray, Laugh at the Opera House

Youth Panel Award

A Midsummer Night's Dream, at The Lowry

Stage Door Foundation Award for Excellence

Monkeywood Theatre