BOLTON'S biggest theatre is planning to spread its wings into the community as it turns 50.

This year the Octagon Theatre will not only celebrates its milestone birthday but is preparing to close its doors in 2018 as part of a major redevelopment project.

While an exact date for the closure, which will take place mid-2018 to 2019, has not been set theatre goers need not worry about missing a show.

Instead, while the main doors are closed, the theatre will be taking to stages around the town.

No venues have been decided yet but plans include a programme of shows which will fit into different spaces around Bolton.

Press and digital officer Emily Armstrong said: "It is all in discussion at the moment so we can't reveal much. We have done shows out in the community before, our last Reveal season was all about that and the next Reveal takes place next month.

"Our Reveal season is looking at different types of venues and mixing it with different types of theatre but also includes all of our audience."

This year's Reveal Season will run from February 28 to March 18 and will coincide with the Octagon's Top Five Readings, which introduces work from five new writers and will be presented in the theatre's Studio.

The Reveal festival brings together a diverse mix of artists and theatre companies to put on a wide-ranging selection of exciting and engaging performances, experiences and events inside, outside and online at the Octagon.

A season is also on the horizon and will help celebrate the theatre's 50th anniversary.

Miss Armstrong added: "This season is going really, really well at the moment. To Kill a Mockingbird had a fantastic response and tickets for Educating Rita are already selling really quickly.

"The theme for this season has been seeing the world from different points of view, and I think the next season will continue on in a similar style."

While very few details of the anniversary season yet known to the public, the festive show has been announced.

Charles Dickens’ iconic A Christmas Carol, adapted for the stage by Neil Duffield, will run from November 17 to January 13 2018.

The tale of discovery, hope, and joy will be directed by Ben Occhipinti, who lead the production of Cinderella which has just finished its run.

Artistic Director Elizabeth Newman said: "It's incredibly exciting that A Christmas Carol is the first show that we're announcing for our 50th Anniversary Season!

"It's a beautiful tale all about hope, redemption and compassion - all very important to life and to the festive season. We are absolutely delighted to bring it to life here in Bolton, next year. We promise lots of fun and a little touch of traditional Dickensian magic."