Preview by Steve Cooke
Austen as you have never seen before!
This March at the Octagon, Bolton a bold reimagining of Jane Austen's romantic novel NORTHANGER ABBEY.
Fizzing with imagination, packed full of humour, and brimming with love - follow unlikely heroine Catherine Morland in this wonderfully entertaining coming-of-age story with a modern twist on the regency classic.
Catherine Morland knows little of the world, but who needs real-life experience when you have novels to guide you? Catherine seizes her chance to escape her claustrophobic family and join the smart set in Bath. Between balls and parties, she meets worldly, sophisticated Isabella Thorpe – Iz, to her friends – and so Cath’s very own real-life adventure begins.
Rehearsals have just begun, and the team cannot wait to bring this fresh take on Austen to their stage.
Renowned playwright Zoe Cooper infuses the plot and spirit of Austen's original novel with her own unique voice creating a brilliantly funny new play you will not want to miss out on this spring.
CAST FOR NORTHANGER ABBEY
Tessa Walker (Ravenscourt and Big, Big, Sky, Hampstead Theatre, Run, Rebel Pilot Theatre, tour) directs.
Rebecca Banatvala (Sap, Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Soho Theatre, UK Tour, Much Ado About Nothing, RSC) playing Cath.
AK Golding (Twelfth Night, Nottingham Playhouse, The Messiah Complex, VAULT Festival) as Iz.
Sam Newton (A Woman Walks into a Bank, Theatre503, Good Day, VAULT Festival) who plays Hen.
Playwright Zoe Cooper said: “Northanger Abbey is a novel about friendship, love, romance, and fantasy and how those things collide. What struck me on my first reading as a queer nineteen-year-old, was that the central romantic relationship, one filled with lust, anger and betrayal, is between the romantic heroine and her best friend, Isabella. It is that version of the book I wanted to explore in this reimagining.”
Director Tessa Walker added: “I am delighted to be working on Zoe’s vivid, funny, and inventive re-imagining of Austen’s classic with this fantastic cast. It’s a wonderful, playful tale of romance, gothic adventures, growing up, and the importance of stories and who gets to tell them.”
Catherine Morland knows little of the world, but who needs real-life experience when you have novels to guide you? Catherine seizes her chance to escape her claustrophobic family and join the smart set in Bath. Between balls and parties, she meets worldly, sophisticated Isabella Thorpe – Iz, to her friends – and so Cath’s very own adventure begins.
Northanger Abbey comes to the Octagon from Friday 1 – Saturday 23 March 2024. Tickets start from £15 and are on-sale now.
BOX OFFICE 01204 520661
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