Octagon Theatre Bolton announces new festive show Cinderella: A Fairy Tale

The Octagon Theatre, Bolton has announced that its Christmas show for 2026-27 will  be Cinderella: A Fairy Tale, opening on Friday 20 November 2026, with tickets on sale  to the public from Wednesday 21 January 2026.

This new take on the classic fairy tale, first made famous in the early 19^th century by the  Brothers Grimm and later in the 1950s with Walt Disney’s animated film version, brings  the story right up to date in a version that will delight children and adults alike.

When Ella’s father remarries, her world turns upside down. She escapes from her  horrible new family by spending time in the woods, surrounded by her friends, the birds.  But when she bumps into a mysterious bird-loving boy and she gets an invitation to the  Royal Ball, everything changes…

Following on from the theatre’s recent spectacular festive season shows, which have  included A Christmas Carol, The Jungle Book and Around the World in 80 Days, this  new stage production is being created by Sally Cookson, Adam Peck and the Original  Company with music and lyrics by Benji Bower and the Original Company.

The show will be directed by Sarah Punshon, whose previous work at Bolton Octagon  includes adapting Peter Pan for stage in 2021, and directing The Jungle Book in 2023.

The Octagon Theatre’s Chief Executive Roddy Gauld said:

‘We know that our festive show is a yearly highlight for so many families across Bolton  and beyond, so it is incredibly important to us that we create theatre that entertains and  inspires our audiences. We’re delighted to be working with such a brilliant creative team  to make a Cinderella that has Bolton themes at its heart, while still whisking us away to  a place filled with magic.’

Sally Cookson trained at LAMDA and worked as an actor for ten years before  embarking on a freelance directing career. She has worked on productions for theatres  including the Old Vic London, the Bristol Old Vic, the National Theatre, the Duke of  York’s and the Rose Theatre Kingston. Most recently Sally has directed Dracula: Mina’s  Reckoning for National Theatre of Scotland, Birthmarked for Edinburgh Festival and  Wonderboy for Bristol Old Vic. She received an Olivier Award for A Monster Calls (Old  Vic London) winning best family and entertainment in 2019, and three Olivier  nominations for Peter Pan (National Theatre/Bristol Old Vic), Hetty Feather (Kenny Wax  Productions), Cinderella: A Fairytale (The Other Palace). Her productions of Jane Eyre and Peter Pan have been made into National Theatre Live films.

Adam Peck is a writer, performer and dramaturg. Since 2006 he has worked with the  Bristol Old Vic Young Company as a writer (Joan of Arc, 2007, and Gilgamesh 2006),  playwriting tutor and devised theatre sessional leader. Between 2007 and 2011 he  worked with Fairground, the company he co-founded with Tid, to create three shows for  the Tobacco Factory – The Red Man (2008), Out of Touch – A Trilogy (2009) and Bonnie  & Clyde (2010). The latter toured the South-West in 2011, played at Theatre503, and is  published by Oberon Books. More recent writing work includes Cinderella: A FairyTale for Tobacco Factory and Travelling Light, Bitter Tales for Theatre Orchard Project and  Only for Bristol Old Vic. Adam has an MA in Theatre (Playwriting) from Royal Holloway, University of London (2004), and a BA in Theatre and Performance Studies from  Warwick University (2000). Other writing credits include: My Bristol Vista for Paines  Plough (Come To Where I’m From, 2010), Life Savings for Theatre Royal Bath (2011),  Chocolate Money (Short Fuses, 2010) and Kick Off (Ferment 2010) for Bristol Old Vic.

Sarah Punshon is the founder and Artistic Director of One Tenth Human, collaborating  with artists, scientists and children to create innovative arts-science adventures (“really  great children’s theatre” Maddy Costa, Exeunt). One Tenth Human’s projects include  Arthur, a solo-and-a-half show performed by Daniel Bye and his 4 month old baby,  which won a Scotsman Fringe First 2019, and We’re Stuck!, commissioned by  Shoreditch Town Hall & Z-arts, starring Seiriol Davies as “Dr Ernest Volcano” and his  robotic twin, “Volcano-bot”. Find out more at www.onetenthhuman.com.

Sarah’s other writing and directing for young audiences includes Hattie Naylor’s unique  take on The Three Musketeers (nominated for the UK Theatre Award for Best  Production for Children and Young People), and her own adaptations of Peter Pan (Bolton Octagon, “a show with playfulness at its heart” ★★★★ – Guardian) and The  Lion Inside (Rose Theatre / Unicorn / Nicoll Entertainment, “this show is the king cat’s  whiskers” The Stage). Sarah trained at Cambridge University, the Royal Scottish  Conservatoire, on the Regional Theatres Young Directors Scheme (West Yorkshire  Playhouse 2003-2005) and on the BBC Drama Directors Academy (2006). She was a  Clore Leadership Fellow 2010/11, mentored by Sir Richard Eyre, and Artistic Director of  The Dukes Lancaster 2017-2019. 

Benji Bower has established himself as one of the UK’s most acclaimed and thrilling  composers for theatre. He has been nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Music  at The Olivier Awards, recorded at Maida Vale for Giles Peterson, scored the multi award-winning film Tom by Wilke Branson, and worked with Bonobo, Mark Pritchard,  Alice Russell, and Kathleen Frances. He produced the critically acclaimed Unforscene and has composed music for numerous TV productions across all channels.

As with their previous Christmas productions, Cinderella: A Fairy Tale will feature plenty  of school-friendly performances with late morning performances, allowing schools and  education groups to experience the magic of live theatre, with discounted ticket offers  available for these groups. Nearly 10,000 schoolchildren visited the Octagon between  November 2025 and January 2026 for A Christmas Carol. Early bird schools group  prices are available until Tuesday 30 June 2026, and educators wishing to reserve  places can contact the Octagon Theatre’s box office team via phone or email.

Cinderella: A Fairy Tale play at The Octagon Theatre Friday 20 November 2026. Tickets are available here.