Octagon’s Hired Man follows Rafta Ratfa

The Octagon follow Rafta Rafta with a local star, returning home. Fresh from her success in London’s West End starring in Cabaret and Boeing Boeing, Bolton born Amy Nuttall returns the the region in The Hired Man which opens next month. Nuttall attended workshops at the venue as a child.

Amy, former Emmerdale star is currently based in North London, having played Sally Bowles, as well as starring in Guys and Dolls and Cameron Mackintosh‘s UK tour of My Fair Lady as Eliza Dolittle. 

The play, written by Melvyn Bragg is a moving exploration of Emily and John’s Tallentire’s relationship, from their passionate meeting through the chaos caused by the First World War and to its haunting end. It is directed by the Octagon’s Artistic Director, David Thacker.

The working-class rituals of hunting, drinking and hiring fayres are set to Goodall’s music sung by actors and a community choir creating a haunting and arresting atmosphere.

The Hired Man is known for its epic and nostalgic and score. Based on the novel by Bragg, it became an award-winning musical when he collaborated with Howard Goodall, a renowned composer of choral music, stage musicals, film and TV scores (Blackadder). He is an award-winning broadcaster and is Classic FM’s Composer-in-Residence for 2008-9.

The Hired Man is at the Octagon, Bolton from 10 June – 3 July.