A CHILLING ghost story described as "the Emerald Isle meets the Sixth Sense" is to be the next production staged by The Octagon.

Shining City is written by the award-winning Irish playwright, Conor McPherson, who recently enjoyed critical acclaim with the National Theatre production of The Seafarer.

The play stars George Irving, best known to fans for his four-year stint as Holby City's surgical consultant, Anton Meyer.

The four-strong cast also features Paul McCleary, currently to be seen on the Octagon stage in Absurd Person Singular, plus Octagon newcomers Mairead Conneely and Conor Michael Ryan.

Shining City tells the story of Ian, a former priest who leaves his religious life to be with Neasa, the mother of his daughter.

To support his new family, Ian starts work as a therapist in Dublin, where he takes on a client, John.

John has repeatedly seen the ghostly figure of his wife, who was killed in a tragic car crash, and slowly Ian realises that each man's life has its parallels - and they both have ghosts that haunt them.

The play is directed by the Octagon's artistic director, Mark Babych, who will be available to chat with the audience after the show on Tuesday, May 22.

  • Shining City is at the Octagon theatre from Thursday, May 17, to Saturday, June 9. Tickets cost from £7.50 to £17.50 and can be booked online from www.octagonbolton.

co.uk or by ringing 01204 520661.