WRITER Joe O’Byrne is celebrating as one of his plays will be performed at his home town theatre, The Octagon, for the first time tomorrow and Friday.

The Bench has already been given good reviews after performances in theatres across Manchester, but this is the first time it has been performed in Bolton.

“It's been a long road but I've finally managed to get a play of mine on in the hallowed chambers of The Octagon,” said Mr O’Byrne.

“It has been a dream of mine since I was a kid so I'm really chuffed to be there with it.”

The Bench has previously been performed at Studio Salford, The Lowry, The Library Theatre, Manchester, Salford Arts Theatre and Didsbury Studio.

The Octagon’s associate director, Elizabeth Newman, added: “I’m so thrilled that The Bench is coming to the Octagon.

“It’s a play that I actually read on the train up to Bolton when I was moving here to start working at the Octagon. It’s so so funny and I think that audiences will love it!.”

The play centres around a bench in the fictional estate of Paradise Heights, where a host of characters find themselves in transitional points in their lives.

Mr O’Byrne, who is aged 52 and lives in Halliwell, said: “Although the play is billed as a comedy, we do tackle some serious topical issues. Homelessness, abuse, addiction and enormous personal grief are some of the problems the characters are wrestling with.

“I’d love to sell this out so there won't be any hesitation in The Octagon thinking of taking any more of my plays on there.”

The play will be performed in the Octagon’s Bill Naughton Studio.

Tickets cost £8, and are available from octagonbolton.co.uk or by ringing 01204 520661.