A CAST of familiar, new and fluffy faces will be bringing a brand new adaption of a classic novel to the stage.

Bolton's Octagon Theatre and York Theatre Royal has announced the casting for its forthcoming production of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

Based on the novel by Anne Brontë, this new adaptation by award-winning playwright Deborah McAndrew will be directed by the theatre's artistic director Elizabeth Newman.

She said: "Deborah’s adaptation has beautifully captured the passion and the bravery of Anne Brontë’s exquisite novel, which follows one woman’s fight for independence against all odds.

"It is such an amazing privilege to be producing this brand new adaptation here in Bolton and at York Theatre Royal, who we are very excited to be working with for this production.

"Audiences here in Bolton and in York will be transported into a world of mystery, intrigue, betrayal, and love."

Hitting the stage at the end of this month, the welcomes three newcomers to the Octagon, Phoebe Pryce who will be bringing enigmatic Helen Graham to life, Eccles-born actor Michael Peavoy - who has appeared in shows including the BBC's Musketeers - stars as handsome farmer Gilbert Markham and Nicole Lecky as Rose Markham and Lady Annabella Lowborough.

They will be joined by faces used to treading the Bolton boards.

These include Marc Small, following his roles in The Winter’s Tale and To Kill a Mockingbird, Two and Two2's Colin Connor who is currently starring in Ashes at the Octagon, and Philip Starnier, who has featured in The Winter’s Tale, To Kill a Mockingbird and Singin’ in the Rain.

Susan Twist, who starred in Streetcar Named Desire, and Natasha Davidson, from The Secret Garden and A View From the Bridge, also return.

Youngsters Ollie Guffogg and Adam Crompton, who played Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird, hit the stage sharing the role of young Arthur, son of Helen Graham.

Completing the cast are two border collies, Tia and Eve, who will be playing Sancho with the help of their trainer and owner Elspeth Brown.

Set in 19th century Yorkshire, the play focuses on a mysterious young widow, Helen Graham, and her son as they arrive at the desolate estate of Wildfell Hall.

Isolating herself from the village, Helen becomes the subject of local gossip and speculation, while intrigued by this beautiful and enigmatic woman, young farmer Markham gradually falls in love.

Torn apart with her attraction to Markham and the secrets of her past, Helen finally reveals the shocking history she thought she had left behind.

Despite often being often overshadowed by her elder sisters Charlotte and Emily, Anne Brontë has become recognised as a brilliant novelist in her own right in recent years.

Her 1848 novel The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is a story of a woman’s fight against oppression, which challenged the social norms and laws of the time.

the show will run at the Octagon Theatre from March 30 to April 22.

For tickets visit octagonbolton.co.uk/whats-on/theatre/the-tenant-of-wildfell-hall.