Early One Morning follows Journey's End at the Octagon

Continuing their commemoration of the anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War, the Octagon Theatre is staging Early One Morning, the true story of 26-year-old soldier James Smith from Bolton who, after three years of fighting in some of the War’s fiercest battles, finds himself on trial for his life.

Written by Bolton playwright Les Smith (And Did Those Feet) and revised specifically for the Octagon, Early One Morning was commissioned and first produced by the Octagon in 1998, starring Iain Jones and Maxine Peake.

The original production became key in a campaign to pardon deserters – a campaign that finally proved successful in 2006, following Private James Smith’s entry in to Bolton’s Roll of Honour of soldiers who died in the Great War.

The cast includes John Branwell, Tristan Brooke, Colin Connor, James Dutton, Ciaran Kellgren, and Michael Shelford.

Early One Morning will also see the return to the Octagon of Bolton actress Jessica Baglow as Lizzie Cartwright.

Early One Morning is at the Octagon from 9 October – 1 November 2014.