The Octagon Theatre in Bolton has announced the first part of its 60th anniversary season and I am over the moon that my new play will feature as part of The Bolton Trilogy, comprising three world premieres!
I’m chuffed to have been trusted with Shaun’s fascinating story. It’s such a remarkable tale, and I feel incredibly lucky to have the chance to bring it to the stage at such an extraordinary theatre.
The play runs from Thu 9 Sept – Sat 2 Oct 2027.
More details below! Ticket start from £17 and are on sale here!
What is a masterpiece worth? And who gets to decide?
“Shaun Greenhalgh is one of the most gifted artists you've probably never heard of. From a garden shed in Bolton, he and his parents created a string of artworks so convincing they fooled museums, collectors and experts across the globe.
As Shaun's story unfolds, famous artists step out of history to challenge him, lost treasures come back to life and one ordinary family find themselves at the heart of an extraordinary deception.
Inspired by the astonishing true story of Bolton's most notorious forger, Ben Weatherill's imaginative new play is a hilarious and heartfelt celebration of creativity, family and working-class talent.
Bold, funny and deeply moving, The Bolton Forger asks what separates a fake from the real thing, and whether talent alone is ever enough.
A remarkable Bolton story, brought home to the Octagon.
Adapted from the memoir by Shaun Greenhalgh and Waldemar Januszczak.”