The Octagon Theatre will provide free tickets to over 50s in the d/Deaf community in Bolton to help them enjoy the theatre experience.

It has teamed up with Ambition for Ageing, to make it more accessible for those with hearing difficulties

The theatre says it is committed to providing theatre for all as it enriches communities and "fundamentally changes peoples’ lives for the better".

With support from Bolton Deaf Society, staff training, BSL interpreters, and social events have been organised to improve the existing offer for D/deaf people at the Octagon.

Head of Creative Engagement at the Octagon Theatre Victoria Brown comments, “With 62 per cent of our audiences aged 55 and above, this age group is really important to The Octagon. Generous support from the Big Lottery Fund and Ambition for Ageing means that many more over 55’s in the d/Deaf community will be able to access and enjoy our performances.

"We are delighted to be working in partnership with Bolton Deaf Society on this exciting intervention that will ensure a long lasting relationship between The Octagon and Bolton’s d/Deaf community.”

Free tickets are on offer to d/Deaf or hearing impaired over 50s to upcoming British Sign Language interpreted and captioned productions ­— The Rise and Fall of Little Voice on January 29 and The Importance of Being Earnest on June 11 ­— produced by the Octagon Theatre and performed at the Albert Halls Bolton whilst the theatre undergoes redevelopment.

Louise McDade from Bolton CVS has said: "We are delighted that Ambition for Ageing in Bolton can support this offer through funding from The Big Lottery.

"We allocated a specific amount of funding in Bolton to support inclusive activities for over 50’s to address social isolation.

"This has enabled The Octagon to provide this offer for over 50s in the D/deaf community in Bolton. Through our work with the Bolton Deaf Society we know that Bolton has a thriving community of D/deaf people and we think it’s really important we all work together to be inclusive.2

Jordan Goucher at Bolton Deaf Society added: 2We are delighted to be working with the Octagon Theatre Bolton, to improve accessibility for people over 50 with deafness. One in six of us have some form of deafness and this increases as we get older. By tackling some of the barriers deaf people are faced with, we can create a more inclusive community."

For more information about access performances provided by the Octagon Theatre email boxoffice@octagonbolton.co.uk