We are delighted to announce that casting is now open for our Adult Community Company for the Octagon Theatre's 2026 production of The Trials by Dawn King.

Set in the near future, The Trials explores a world where the climate emergency has reached a tipping point - and an entire generation is being held to account. In this imagined courtroom, the jurors are children, tasked with deciding responsibility for environmental collapse. But are they delivering justice, or simply taking revenge?

Dawn King's powerful and provocative play was first performed at the Dusseldorfer Schauspielhaus in January 2022 and was a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. It received its British premiere at the Donmar Warehouse, London, in August 2022, directed by Natalie Abrahami. Now, The Trials comes to Bolton as a bold main stage community production. 

A Unique Community Theatre Opportunity

This production offers an exciting opportunity for community actors who are passionate about theatre, keen to develop their performance skills, and interested in engaging with urgent contemporary themes. 

Participants will work closely with Octagon Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham and Youth Theatre Director Ruth Allison, collaborating with young people from our Youth Theatre to create a high-quality main stage performance that places intergenerational voices at its heart.

About the roles 

We are casting six community actors to share three adult defendant roles across four performances. Each role requires delivering a substantial monologue directly to a jury of young people, defending their actions during the climate crisis. 

Defendant one

• Fifties to early sixties
• Any gender
• Comfortable performing a long monologue

A successful advertising professional who profited from consumer culture. They argue that the taxes they paid supported essential services and that they raised "privileged" children - positioning themselves as responsible rather than culpable. 

Defendant two

• Fifties to early sixties
• Any gender
• Comfortable performing a long monologue

A playwright who made conscious choices to reduce their environmental impact. They apologise directly to the jury and believe the responsibility should lie with those in positions of power, not individuals like themselves. 

Defendant three

• Fifties
• Female
• Comfortable performing a long monologue

A former oil company executive who oversaw investment in green technologies. Her work choices put significant strain on her relationship with her teenage daughter - who is to be one of the jurors.

Commitment and Key Dates

Participants must be available for the following sessions:

Auditions

• Wednesday 19 February, 11.30am - 1.30pm

Meet and Greet

• Wednesday 9th April, 2.30pm - 4.30pm

Adult Company Rehearsals

• Tuesday 27 May, 2.30pm - 4.30pm
• Thursday 29 May, 2.30pm - 4.30pm
• Wednesday 11 June, 6.00pm - 8.00pm

Production Week

• Thursday 20 August, 7.00pm
• Friday 21 August, 7.00pm
• Saturday 22 August, 2.00pm and 7.00pm

Cost

The total cost for taking part is £120, payable in three instalments of £40 across the programme.

How to Apply

We warmly welcome applications from anyone who feels they fit the casting criteria and would like to be part of this thought-provoking production. 

Application deadline:Thursday 12 February, 10am

The application can also be submitted as a video of audio recording. If you would like to apply in this format, please email participation@octagonbolton.co.uk in advance to discuss and arrange this. 

Following review of applications, we will either offer you a place in the audition workshop or suggest an alternative Octagon programme that may be better suited to you at this time.