THE Octagon Theatre has put a call out for Bolton poets as it hosts its first spoken word event in celebration of the world premiere production of Seagulls.

The event is being produced in association with the A Lovely World, which regularly run such popular events at Liverpool Everyman.

Headline performer will be a multi-award winning Irish spoken word poet Ciarán Hodgers ­— and the theatre is seeking submissions for poets to come and perform their own three minute pieces.

Alex Ferguson, who runs A Lovely Word at the Liverpool Everyman Theatre, one of the most popular poetry nights in the North West, said: “I am so pleased to be working on this exciting project with the Octagon, where we will be taking submissions for one of the oldest and most universal art forms, the poetic spoken word. I can’t wait to see what Bolton has to offer!”

Artistic director of the Octagon, Lotte Wakeham added: “Here at the Octagon we are passionate about supporting and celebrating new writing. We are thrilled to be presenting this evening of new talent and I encourage any burgeoning poets and spoken word artists to submit their ideas and be part of this exciting evening.”

The theatre is looking for poems on the topic of ‘coming of age’ in keeping with the world premiere production of new musical Seagulls by Beth Hyland. The show is loosely based on the themes of Chekhov’s classic, and interpretations as broad as possible are welcomed.

Poems should be no longer than three minutes when performed aloud and entries must be from those aged 14 and over.

The deadline for submissions is October 14, 2019.

The evening will take place on November 4 at 6pm at Bolton Library.

For more information on how to apply visit octagonbolton.co.uk/newwriting

Tickets for the event are free of charge but booking is recommended.

Bolton Library is currently hosting a series of “live literature” events with author Ian Mcguire reading from his Man Booker longlisted novel, The North Water to launch Winter Live Literature, in which visitors can enjoy free poetry and performances.

Ian will be at the library tomorrow night (Tuesday) at 6.30pm.

Guests on November 5 will be Paul Deaton, Kim Moore and Ben Wilkinson.

On December 10 visitors can enjoy a script-in hand performance of Cathy Crabb’s acclaimed play The Bubbler.

All sessions run until 8pm and are free.

For more information visit https://www.boltonlams.co.uk/whats-on