AFTER taking people on an adventure to the land of Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels, Anne O'Riordan returns to star as Dorothy in the Octagon Theatre's Christmas production.

Originally adapted for the stage by a team of writers at the Octagon in 2011, Frank L Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz directed by Associate Director Ben Occhipinti will transform the Premier Suite at the University of Bolton Stadium into the technicolour land of Oz.

The classic tale will brought to life with the help of two teams of 12 young people.

Presented with original music by actor musicians the talented cast will take audiences on a musical journey down the yellow brick road.

And the audience will find themselves in Bolton ­— rather than Kansas ­— with Dorothy swapping her ruby slippers for red trainers and picking up new friends along the way.

Anne was last seen in the Octagon’s outdoor production of Gulliver’s Travels as Betty and she also performed as one of the infamous Rats in 2016’s festive production Cinderella.

Joining Anne will be a talented cast of six who will be playing multiple parts including Alexander Bean, who also starred in Gulliver’s Travels, as well as Summer Holiday and Cinderella, and David Heywood who will play Dorothy’s companions the Lion and the Scarecrow alongside Thom Petty as the Tin Man.

Matthew Ganley will be taking on the mystical title role of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as well as playing Uncle Henry.

Opposite him, Helen Sheals will play Aunt Em and the Good Witch of the North. Sufia Manya will play the most formidable sorceress in Bolton, The Wicked Witch of the West.

The young company will also be playing a number of parts, including Glinda, the Winged Monkeys and Munchkins.

Director Ben Occhipinti has said: “It’s so exciting to be directing another festive production in Bolton. This time whilst we are out of our Octagon home we are bringing to life the enchanting world of OZ at the University of Bolton Stadium.

"We’re thrilled to be able to share our beloved Bolton adaptation of the classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with audiences again. I’m delighted to be working with such talented actors and I have no doubt this will be an unforgettable experience for everyone."

The production will run from December 4 to December 31

For more information or to buy tickets go to octagonbolton.co.uk/whats-on/theatre/the-wonderful-wizard-of-oz/