TV stars confirmed in the cast of Alan Ayckbourn’s revival.

Octagon Theatre Bolton and Theatr Clwyd are delighted to announce the cast of their upcoming autumn co-production of Alan Ayckbourn's Snake in the Grass, Thu 9 – Sat 25 Oct 2025.

A gripping psychological thriller from one of Britain’s most prolific playwrights, Snake in the Grass delves into buried secrets, sibling rivalry, and the haunting weight of the past. Ayckbourn’s masterful dark comedy lays bare the toxic truths we hide, and the price of keeping them.
 

This powerful revival will feature a stellar all-female ensemble. Sue Cleaver is most recognisable for Coronation Street where she’s played Eileen Grimshaw since 1994 as well as appearing on Loose Women and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and in the UK Tour of Sister Act. She is joined by Nicola Stephenson whose stage credits include Our Country’s Good (Lyric Hammersmith), Mumsie (Hull Truck) and The Empress (RSC) and who has been seen on television in Maternal (ITV), Father Brown (BBC) and The Long Shadow (ITV). Completing the cast is Lisa Zahra, stage credits include Odyssey 84 (Sherman Theatre), Baba Joon (The Other Room/GrandAmbition) and Grenfell (National Theatre).

Octagon’s Artistic Director, Lotte Wakeham commented: “We’re incredibly excited to present this brand-new production of Snake in the Grass with such a formidable cast of performers. Acclaimed director Francesca Goodridge brings a bold and fresh vision to Alan Ayckbourn’s haunting and compelling play. This talented all-female cast will bring an electric energy to a story which explores family, power, and buried secrets. Audiences can expect a suspenseful and thought-provoking night at the theatre.”

Snake in the Grass plays at the Octagon Theatre Bolton Thu 9 – Sat 25 Oct.
Tickets start from £15 and are on-sale now.