EASTER is all but over and its time to look forward to Christmas — oh yes it is!

The Octagon Theatre has announced The Wonderful Wizard of Oz will be its festive production, but this year people will be following the yellow brick road to the Macron.

The Octagon has teamed up with the Bolton Wanderers, Macron Stadium and Whites Hotel to host its regular Christmas show whilst the theatre undergoes a £9.87million redevelopment.

Artistic director Elizabeth Newman said: "We are looking forward to making the Macron Stadium our home this year bringing along our acclaimed production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and we are particularly excited about being so close to our favourite local football team —the Bolton Wanderers.

"It’s a colourful and joyous extravaganza filled with big hearted characters, dangerous adventures and unfailing friendship. Hosting our festive show at the Macron is an exciting chance for us to create something really new and wonderful that reaches out to wider audiences. We can’t wait to become part of the football family."

And it really is true that there's no place like home and the production is set closer to home and not Kansas.

Swapping her ruby slippers for red trainers and picking up new friends along the way Dorothy travels to the Emerald City with Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and the cowardly Lion, in search of the Great Oz – a wonderful wizard from Wigan.

Original music will be performed live, and say the creative team the The Wonderful Wizard of Oz will delight "Bolton families this winter with dazzling landscapes and spellbinding music".

Associate director Ben Occhipinti said: "Our festive production is always the chance to bring joy and wonder to people of all ages. From grandparents right through to young people we hope to take as many people as possible along with us for an adventure down the yellow brick road.”

This Bolton version of the iconic story premiered at the Octagon in 2011 and achieved great box office and critical success.

The production opens on December 4 and runs until New Years Eve.

For ticket information visit octagonbolton.co.uk/whats-on/theatre/the-wonderful-wizard-of-oz/