Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, Bolton BL1 1SBwww.octagonbolton.co.ukTelephone: 01204 520661

PRESS RELEASE – Embargoed until Friday 14 September, 10am

Best of Bolton 2018 Winners Announced

The Octagon Theatre’s annual celebration of home-grown talent and creativity will see

new work performed by professional actors at Bolton Central Library on Saturday 10

November.

50 entries have been chosen to be performed from over 270 submissions that were received from

members of the local community, national and international writers. Best of Bolton encourages writers of

all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience to enter poetry, stories and short plays to celebrate Bolton’s

rich cultural heritage and the power of the spoken word.

The brilliant writing will be brought to life by four professional actors in a matinee and evening

performance held at the Lecture Theatre in Bolton Central Library. The Best of Bolton gives authors the

chance to showcase their work in front of an audience, and receive invaluable feedback from professionals.

Speaking of the event, New Writing Associate Janys Chambers from the Octagon commented: “I am

overwhelmed by the blazing talent of the writers in our community. We are thrilled to be producing The

Best of Bolton again, and taking the opportunity to showcase the diverse culture and thriving creative

community in Bolton. ”

Cllr John Byrne, Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Sport, said: “We are delighted to be

hosting this event at Bolton Central Library.

“The Octagon Theatre plays a vital role in the arts in Bolton and we work closely with them to make sure residents can experience the best in culture and entertainment.

Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, Bolton BL1 1SBwww.octagonbolton.co.ukTelephone: 01204 520661

“Bolton is home to many talented artists and performers and we look forward to hosting some excellent work by local writers. We hope to see a big audience for what I’m sure will be a day of enjoyable performances.”

Best of Bolton will be performed on Saturday 10 November, 2pm and 7.30pm, in the Lecture Theatre at Bolton Central Library. For tickets visit https://octagonbolton.co.uk/whats-on/theatre/

-ENDS-

For interview and other press requests please contact Rachael Norris on rachael.norris@octagonbolton.co.uk or by calling 01204 556505

Notes to Editors:

Selected titles and writers for the event:

Saturday 10 November 2pm1. Evergreen – Samantha Priestley2. A Woman Of Syria – Rosie Adamson Clark 3. Be Proud Of Your Past – Colette Wiseman 4. Night In The City - Jacob Lloyd 5. Pausing in Cappy – Bernadette Jordan 6. A Way with Words - Phil Barling 7. Boomers – Dave Burnham 8. Kissing Him Goodbye – Glenda Cooper 9. Each Night – Christopher Moore 10. You And I – Helen Jeffery 11. Being Counted – Margaret Simpson 12. Gone – Frances Arden 13. Birth – Sheila Hinds 14. y=Me Squared – Claire Eden 15. Moor Combustion – Rebecca Shivji 16. Aspirations – Hilary Walker 17. React – Helen Shenton 18. In Memory of Superman’s Parents – Helen East 19. Flower Power – Linda Ashworth20. Cold Tea – Beverley Green 21. On A Council Estate – Dave Jones 22. Receding and Revealing – Gaye Gerrard 23. A Knitting Memory – Kathleen Proctor 24. The Hill – Christine Wellings 25. That Girl – Hannah Dolly Kaur Bharaj

Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, Bolton BL1 1SBwww.octagonbolton.co.ukTelephone: 01204 520661

Saturday 10 November 7.30pm1. Pretend – Gillian Popplewell 2. Reflections – Chris Parkinson 3. Drowning – Dorothea Cahan 4. A Trace Of Love - Roy David Cole 5. Looking for the Keys – Paulina Dominguez 6. Wall of Fame – Alexandra Hannant 7. A Mother’s Nature – Nick Maynard 8. Submarine - Christopher Woods 9. The Funeral – Olu Alakija 10. Manchester Wedding – Elaine Patricia Morris 11. Charlie’s Contemplation – Dyan Colclough 12. A Good Heart – Josie Byrne 13. A Walk To The Beach – Avril Finch 14. Death – Catherine Cropper 15. Fond Memories of Burnden Park – Alun Robert 16. Towards The Edge – Angela Higson 17. Mirror Mirror – Scott Davenport 18. The First Win – Katie Schofield 19. Who Done It – Nigel Cropper 20. Amazing Grace – Dorothy Snelson 21. Eric Pleats - Jill Pemberton 22. Last One Standing – Kathleen Tomko 23. The Sleep Of The Righteous – Charles Leipart 24. Sundowning – Simon James 25. Boltopia – Ibrahim Ali Ismail

DATE: Saturday 10 November 2018TIMES: 2pm and 7.30pmTICKETS: £5 (£3) BOX OFFICE: 01204 520661 Online: https://octagonbolton.co.uk/VENUE: Bolton Central LibraryPARTNERS: Bolton Library and Museum Services

Octagon Theatre Bolton is a regional producing theatre with the belief that theatre can enrich communities and fundamentally change peoples’ lives for the better. It aims to do this through creating a range of entertaining and thought-provoking theatre of the highest quality that inspires and ignites the curiosity of the people of Bolton and beyond. As well as providing opportunities for learning and participation to enable people to realise their potential, express themselves and to help them fly.

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