A NEW radio play entitled One Night in Bolton will make its debut on Bolton FM on June 15, performed by members of the Young Octagon Company.

Local stage and screen writer Becky Prestwich originally wrote the play to be performed on stage at the Octagon in summer 2020 but due to Covid-19 it was reimagined.

One Night in Bolton tells the story of Julie and Ray - two fictional audience members who were there at the opening night of the original theatre in 1967.

From that eventful night through to the present day, the show promises a celebratory, uplifting story about the Octagon, growing up and what makes a community.

Octagon Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham said: “One Night in Bolton is a wonderful new play by Becky Prestwich, performed by our fantastic Young Octagon company. It’s a real love letter to Bolton, and imagines the lives of Octagon audience members over more than 50 years, since the original building opened in 1967 to the present day.

“When Covid 19 hit last spring, we were already in rehearsals with our cast of gifted teenage actors, who had been working really hard on the piece for several months.

"When it became clear that they wouldn’t be able to perform the show in person as planned, we started to think about new ways we could present the play, and decided to turn it into a brand new radio production. I am so proud of all the members of the Young Octagon company, who have adapted brilliantly to these challenging circumstances.

"They recorded their individual roles remotely from home, which were then meticulously edited together by Octagon staff.

“I am really excited to share the production with audiences and I hope Bolton tunes in to hear these hugely talented young actors tell this captivating story.”

Audiences can enjoy this brand new radio play by tuning in to Bolton FM from 7pm on Tue 15 June. Listen live on a DAB digital radio at 96.5FM or online at boltonfm.com.