Spring season at Bolton Octagon

Bolton's Octagon Theatre is set to light up next spring and summer with an adventurous new season of theatre, featuring high profile actors in revivals of award-winning classics, world premieres, and fresh takes on old favourites.

One of the highlights will be the 30th anniversary revival of Shelagh Stephenson’s Olivier award-winning play The Memory of Water (January 29-February 21, 2026), co-produced with the Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse (where it can be seen February 25-March 14, tickets here) and directed by Octagon artistic director Lotte Wakeham. The show will feature a strong cast including Helen Flanagan and Vicky Binns (both widely recognised from Coronation Street), Vicky Brazier (The Book Thief, Octagon Theatre), and Polly Lister (Animal Farm, Around the World in 80 Days, Octagon Theatre), with further casting still to be revealed.

First staged in 1996, the comedy has become a modern classic, telling the story of three sisters who reunite for their mother’s funeral and uncover the memories, rivalries, and humour that shape their lives. This will be followed by Samuel Beckett’s timeless Waiting for Godot (April 15-May 2), co-produced with Glasgow's Citizen’s Theatre and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and directed by the Citizens' artistic director, Dominic Hill.

This enduring masterpiece redefined modern theatre in 1953 and will feature celebrated and Olivier award-winner Matthew Kelly and stage and screen legend George Costigan, making his Octagon debut. Darkly comic and deeply moving, Waiting for Godot is a profound exploration of what it means to be human – even when the waiting never ends.

In March the Octagon will be staging a powerful and chilling new production of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy Macbeth (March 4-28, 2026), directed by former Octagon artistic director, Mark Babych. The show will be co-produced with the Derby Theatre and Hull Truck Theatre.

Other season highlights include a world premiere, based on Conan Doyle’s famous detective Sherlock Holmes. Blackeyed Theatre's UK tour of Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty (April 1-4) will offer Holmes fans and newcomers a thrilling new spy adventure.

The John Godber Company then brings Teechers (May 5-16) to the stage. Newly updated for a post-Covid world, the play crackles with humour and youthful energy.

Theatre Chipping Norton and Selladoor Worldwide present a fresh take on the West End classic The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (May 19-23). Reinvented by the Reduced Shakespeare Company, the much-loved, fast-paced celebration of Shakespeare leaves audiences breathless with laughter.

Finally, Tilted Wig, Mayflower Theatre Southampton and Theatre Royal Winchester present the hit play Spitfire Girls (May 26-30). Poignant and uplifting, this powerful new work is inspired by the extraordinary true stories of the women who flew during World War II.

The season also comes with a full selection of music, comedy and family entertainment for 2026, all fully described on the theatre's website.

Full info and tickets here