One Night in Bolton was originally written as a stage play to open the new Octagon in summer 2020. However, restrictions caused by Covid-19, including limitations on youth theatre groups meeting in person, meant the project needed to be reimagined.

It has now been reworked from a stage show in to a radio play.

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.”

One Night in Bolton tells the stories 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.

Performed by the Young Octagon Company and featuring a community choir, be prepared for laughter, jokes, treasured memories and some singing along at home.

The player below lets you listen again to  this great local radio play.

One Night in Bolton

Listen again to this radio play