FOOD loving thespians have found a new "plaice" to perform in Bolton next May.

The Octagon Theatre is swapping the stage for the takeaway with a new musical being performed in the town's Olympus Fish and Chips.

#ChipShoptheMusical is the theatre's first site-specific work of the year and will be performed over dinner with audiences enjoying fish and chips before having a brew and watching as the performance is played out in the restaurant in Great Moor Street.

Chippy owner Tasos Pattichis said: "I'm excited for this event, it's quite unique.

"The bar will be the stage and we can get around 100 people in for the performance.

"The idea behind it is new and interesting; bringing new faces to the theatre. I think we will get a lot of people coming who wouldn't usually go to the theatre but this can be a stepping stone.

"This is going to be good fun."

Final details for the performances taking place from May 11 to 21 are yet to be confirmed but cost of the fish supper and brew will be included in the price of the show ticket.

The musical is among a host of unique performances, musicals, modern classics - and a world premiere written by an acclaimed award-winning writer - making up the next season of the Octagon Theatre.

In April, The Macbeth Curse, written by Terry Deary, author of the hilarious Horrible Histories books, will hit the stage for the first time as a joint production between the Octagon and Prime Theatre.

The world premiere will explore the magic and madness of Macbeth and Shakespeare, using a combination of the playwright's own words as well as music hall songs and cutting-edge Edwardian theatre.

It is not the first time that the theatre has pulled in a world first — Jim Cartwright's Two 2 will debut for the first time in February next year.

Earlier this year Elizabeth Newman became the theatre's eighth artistic director, following David Thacker's six years in the post.

She said: "I am incredibly proud to be at the helm of the Octagon. I've been compelled to create a programme that inspires the hearts and minds of loyal friends and new audiences we've yet to meet.

"We are thrilled that our mini-season will feature new plays, classics, contemporary dramas and musicals, and we cannot wait to welcome more children and young people into the Theatre all year round to experience theatre."

Other performances over the season include The Broken N Beat Collective, a powerful, funny and contemporary blend of hip hop; modern classic Look Back in Anger and popular musical Singin' in the Rain.

For young people there will be the National Theatre Connections; a festival for ages 14 and above, that honours great new writing for the stage, and the energy, commitment, and talent of young theatre-makers.

For little children, the Octagon is introducing Storyplay, during which youngsters will be transported on a literary journey of fun and adventure, brought to life by actors in a relaxed soft-play area.

The Best of Bolton will make a return for local writers to showcase their work, and the National Octagon Prize for bidding writers to submit dramatic monologues which have the chance to to be produced on the theatre's stage.

Ms Newman said: "In the coming years we want to celebrate our loyal audiences and actively reach out to new audiences we've yet to meet. We will make more co-productions, work for children and young people, and open our Studio doors to new artists, companies, and theatre makers.

"In this new programme, which includes world premieres, new partnerships, and unique performances, it is our hope that we've begun to bring that vision to life."

NEW SEASON 2016/17:

The Broken N Beat Collective (February 25 to 27) — A powerful, funny and contemporary blend of hip hop, theatre, and puppetry which explores the hardships faced by young people in the UK today.

National Octagon Prize (February 26) — The Octagon is inviting writers aged 16 and above to submit dramatic monologues to be produced on the theatre's stage.

Look Back in Anger (April 7 to 30) — The first main auditorium production in Elizabeth's season is a modern classic that considers the frustrations of a generation.

The Macbeth Curse (April 19 to 23) — World premiere written by the acclaimed Terry Deary, author of the hilarious Horrible Histories books. The play will also tour local schools from April 11 to 16.

Storyplay (TBC) — Young children will be transported on a literary journey of fun and adventure, brought to life by actors from the Octagon Company, in a relaxed soft-play area.

National Theatre Connections (May 11 to 20) — a festival for ages 14 and above that honours great new writing for the stage, and the energy, commitment, and talent of young theatre-makers.

#ChipShoptheMusical (May 11 to 21) — The theatre's first site specific work of the year, which will be performed over dinner in Bolton's Olympus chippy.

The Best of Bolton (May TBC) — Amateur writers see their scripts, poems, monologues, novels, and songs brought to life on the Octagon's main stage.

Singin' in the Rain (June 3 to 25) — To close the 2015/16 season, the infamous musical will be performed in all of its Technicolour glory, featuring live music, dance and, of course, rain.

The Secret Garden (August 11 to 13) — The main auditorium will welcome a brand new interpretation of a classic by the Octagon's New Writing Associate Janys Chambers.

Octagon Pleasure Beach (August 26 to 29) — Audiences are invited to grab a bucket and spade, pull up a deckchair, feel the sand between their toes and enjoy all the fun of the fair.

Cinderella (November 18, 2016 to January 14, 2017) — In this particular tale of romance, the rats are in charge, and will herd audiences through this fun fairytale with singing, dancing, music and magic.