The Octagon Theatre Bolton is proud to announce a major new production of Noël Coward’s Private Lives will be directed by the winner of the prestigious 2024 The Royal Theatrical Support Trust (RTST), Sir Peter Hall Director Award, Tanuja Amarasuriya.

Following an intense selection and judging process, Tanuja Amarasuriya, will direct this brand-new production of Private Lives for the Octagon’s main stage, in a co-production with Mercury Theatre in Colchester and Rose Theatre in Kingston. This show will also run at Northern Stage in Newcastle and Bristol Old Vic. A Bristol-based director and dramaturg, Tanuja is the co-founder of the multi-artform company Sleepdogs and is a resident at Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studio.

This exciting staging reaffirms RTST’s mission to champion emerging directorial talent while enriching the landscape of British regional theatre, and the Octagon’s commitment to supporting artistic talent and excellence.

To mark this momentous occasion, a celebratory reception was held in London on Sunday 11 May 2025, co-hosted by RTST Chairman Sir Geoffrey Cass, alongside legendary actors Sir Ian McKellen and Alex Jennings CBE. The evening brought together many of British theatre’s leading figures, alongside representatives from regional theatres and a vibrant community of early-career artists and creatives.

Musical entertainment was provided by Lancashire born and Olivier Award-winning actor and singer Maimuna Memon, whose spellbinding performance was accompanied by accomplished actor-musician Rachel Barnes on the cello.

Director of the RTST Mark Hawes commented: "We're proud to be collaborating with the Octagon Theatre Bolton and its partners on our latest RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award scheme – culminating this autumn with the tour of Private Lives directed by our latest winner, Tanuja Amarasuriya. Regional producing theatres like these are powerhouses of creative and technical talent and excellence. Coupled with their staged work, their educational and participation work with their local communities marks them out as forces for societal good. Collectively, Regional Theatre is the wellspring of the UK's global success in theatre, film and TV."

2024 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award-winner Tanuja Amarasuriya said:I was absolutely thrilled to win the 2024 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award, and I am totally stoked to be working with the Octagon Theatre Bolton, Rose Theatre, and Colchester Mercury on this production. Noel Coward’s Private Lives is a fabulous play – funny, sexy, shocking – and full of bittersweet truths about the complex difficulties of relationships. When I first read it, I was amazed at how modern these characters felt; and that’s what I want to share with audiences – a show that combines the glamour and screwball comedy thrill of the 1930s with a vibrant, immediate energy that speaks straight to 2025.

Artistic Director of the Octagon Theatre Bolton Lotte Wakeham added: "I’m thrilled that we are the host venue of this year’s award, which is a vital prize for an emerging director to direct their first main stage show in a regional theatre. From an impressive array of directors, stood out with her ideas, rigour and thoughtfulness.

She joins a long line of illustrious directors who have worked at the Octagon at a pivotal moment in their careers. Regional theatres are where artists, like Tanuja, hone their craft and are the lifeblood of creative industries. In fact, Danny Boyle famously said that his journey to directing the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony, began at the Octagon.

At the Octagon we pride ourselves on nurturing talent on stage and off because we really believe in delivering world class theatrical experiences.

I am delighted that Tanuja will be making her Octagon debut this autumn by directing Noel Coward’s Private Lives. It is one of the greatest plays of the twentieth century, and with Tanuja’s enthusiasm for seeing classic texts through a new lens, I cannot wait to see her version of it.

Tanuja’s production will be made possible thanks to generous support from the RTST. At a time when arts funding is extremely precarious, and when we’re seeing disparity between how theatres in towns like ours are funded compared to large cities, this financial support really is a game-changer."

Private Lives plays at the Octagon Theatre Bolton Thu 4 – Sat 27 Sep.