THE Octagon Theatre has been recognised for staging one of the best shows in the country.

Its adaptation of the Anne Bronte’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall in spring last year was named as one of the best shows from around the UK in 2017 by leading specialist entertainments and theatre publication The Stage.

The national recognition comes just days before the theatre brings another Bronte classic — Jane Eyre — to the stage.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was one of just eight shows to be picked from across the country.

Elizabeth Newman, artistic director who directed The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and who is also directing Jane Eyre, said: “We’re thrilled it was picked out as one of The Stage’s top shows of 2017. It was wonderful to direct this passionate play adapted by Deborah McAndrew. She really did capture the essence of Anne Bronte’s novel, which still resonates over 100 years after it was written.

“We had a brilliant cast and I loved to see audiences engaging with the play. I am very excited to be working on another Bronte story this year and am busy in rehearsals for Jane Eyre which opens on Thursday.”

The publication said of the play: “Elizabeth Newman’s evocative production brought Anne Bronte’s pro-feminist story of flawed menfolk and the women left bobbing in their wake vividly to life.

“Thanks to some stellar design work from the creative team, the play’s haunting Yorkshire moorland setting almost became a character on its own right.”

Other theatrical highlights noted by the publication included former Westhoughton High School pupil Maxine Peake’s The Last Testament of Lillan Bilocca, which was performed at the Guildhall in Hull.

Visit octagonbolton.co.uk/whats-on/theatre/jane-eyre/