CHRISTMAS just wouldn’t be the same without Ebenezer Scrooge making an appearance.

And although the Octagon cannot stage its world premiere of the musical adaptation of the festive favourite as planned this year, actors will bring the classic Christmas tale alive in the theatre to be enjoyed by audiences in their own home.

This will be the first year the theatre has not staged a festive production in its 53-year history.

So instead the theatre has gone online to celebrate Christmas and today unveiled its festive programme.

One of the highlights included audiences stepping back to Dickensian times to enjoy a reading of one of the best-loved Christmas stories, A Christmas Carol.

The free event on Sunday, December 20 will see actors reading the tale of old miser, Scrooge, from various locations inside the new theatre – giving audiences the opportunity to get a sneak peek at the venue ahead of its opening in early 2021.

After the huge success of Let’s Get Quizzical, the Octagon’s online quiz, in the summer, a special festive edition will take place, Let’s Get Quizzical: Christmas Quiz.

Audiences can put their general knowledge to the test and enjoy a great evening’s entertainment with tickets from £5.

Children and parents can let their imaginations run wild on a magical journey across the North Pole in StoryMakers Online: A Kidnapped Santa Claus.

A professional actor will bring Frank L. Baum’s magical tale to life on December 18 and 19 in this live reading with music and lots of surprises along the way.

Audiences can enjoy readings of a collection of five new plays on December 14.

The Octagon has partnered with Burn Bright for their third event of this acclaimed anthology series with this instalment celebrating northern female writers – including GM based writer Zoe Iqbal, in what the theatre promises to be an intimate, hilarious and very human collection of online conversations.

Octagon’s artistic director, Lotte Wakeham said: “The Octagon is renowned for its wonderful festive productions; gathering together to share stories at this special time of year is an integral part of our progamme. Even though we are unable to stage a full production in person this December, we are thrilled to announce this exciting line-up of online events. I’m confident that they will bring festive cheer to our audiences, ahead of us being able to welcome everyone into our new building in early 2021. We will be back, and we can’t wait!”

Tickets for Storymakers and Better in Person are on sale now.

This on-line programme is designed to keep audiences entertained until the venue opens its doors in early 2021.

With the delay to the reopening of the theatre and the continued uncertainty of when theatres will be able to host full performances, 2020 has been the most challenging year in the theatre’s history. To support the Octagon this Christmas the theatre is asking audiences to consider joining as a member ­—also available as a gift ­— or to purchase gift vouchers.

For more information visit octagonbolton.co.uk/whats-on and to support the Octagon visit octagonbolton.co.uk/support