SHIVER me timbers, The Octagon Theatre has announced its Christmas show!

This year the curtain will go up on a swashbuckling adaptation of the classic pirate tale Treasure Island,

Tickets are now on sale for Robert Louis Stephenson’s story of buried treasure and mutiny upon the high seas.

The Octagon bosses said: “A fearsomely talented cast of actor musicians alongside some frighteningly brilliant young people from Bolton will help us set sail on our jolly way in a fun filled family adventure bursting with music, mutiny and talking parrots!”

Like last year, the show will be performed at The University of Bolton Stadium while The Octagon theatre undergoes its multi-million pound transformation.

The production will be directed by Tim Jackson, a West End choreographer and composer who was also musical director for Little Shop of Horrors at Manchester Royal Exchange in 2014.

He said “I’m thrilled that we’re off on an adventure to Treasure Island this Christmas. Brace yourselves for pirates, parrots and pieces of eight!”

The classic tale of buccaneers and buried gold will be presented a rip-roaring new stage adaptation by writer Kate Ferguson with music and lyrics by Susannah Pearse. Kate Ferguson’s credits include Fair Trade, executive-produced by Emma Thompson (UK tour) and Susannah Pearse’s credits include music and lyrics for Jabberwocky at Margate Theatre Royal and Original music for the songs in John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme (BBC Radio 4).

Lotte Wakeham, artistic director at the Octagon Theatre said “The show’s writers — Kate Ferguson and Susannah Pearse — are ridiculously talented, and I know their version of the story will be huge fun and filled with festive magic, as well as unforgettable, toe-tapping songs.

“I could not be more delighted to have the wonderful Tim Jackson on board, helming this production as director, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous work in the West End.

The show will run from Sunday, December 8 until Friday, December 27 in the Premier Suite at the stadium. Tickets will cost between £16 and £24 and groups of ten and over can save save 15 per cent on ticket prices.

The show will be suitable for children aged five and over.

The Octagon Theatre building will reopen early in 2020. The theatre’s second off-site season of shows for autumn 2019 will be announced in May.