Twelfth Night next at Bolton Octagon, 27 February

Twelfth Night is the Octagon’s second production of 2014, following on from Hobson’s Choice , also directed by David Thacker. Ten actors performing in Twelfth Night have been through-cast from Hobson’s Choice, a conscious choice that David Thacker made when he first decided to pair these two plays.

David commented: "Hobson’s Choice and Twelfth Night are two Lancashire-based productions, both are comedies with romantic plot lines – two very appealing plays! Like many scholars, I believe that Shakespeare spent time in Lancashire and this has been the inspiration for the production."

The role of Viola – a young lady shipwrecked on foreign land who disguises herself as a young man to work for the Duke, Orsino – will be played by Rosie Jones. Rosie performed in the Octagon’s production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley.

Natalie Grady play sOlivia, the Countess of Illyria, in Twelfth Night. Natalie recently appeared in the Library Theatre Company’s productions of Mother Courage and her Children by Bertolt Brecht and The Daughter-in-Law, for which she was awarded Best Supporting Actress at the 2012 Manchester Theatre Awards.

Taking on the role of Malvolio is Christopher Villiers. Chris recently picked up the award for Best Supporting Actor, at the 2012 Manchester Theatre Awards for his role in the Octagon’s production of The Winslow Boy. Television fans may also recognise him from the ITV soap Emmerdale where he played Grayson Sinclair from 2006-2008.

Orsino will be played by Michael Shelford, his theatre credits include Finborough Theatre’s sell-out production of Events While Guarding the Bofor’s Gun, Virgin by E.V. Crowe at Watford Palace, and Comedy of Errors for Sprite Productions. Television fans may also recognise Michael from the popular fantasy drama series Game of Thrones and Inspector Lewis.

Composing the music for Twelfth Night is Adrian Johnston, who recently worked at the Octagon on the world premiere production of Tull by Phil Vasili. Adrian has scored music for films including Jude, Kinky Boots, Lassie, and Becoming Jane.

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is at the Octagon from 27 February – 22 March.