The Book Thief at Octagon Theatre Bolton

A world-premiere musical adaptation of Markus Zusak’s best-selling novel, The Book Thief will open Bolton Octagon Theatre’s impressive autumn/ winter season of performance.

Adapted by award-winning writer Jodi Picoult and playwright Timothy Allen McDonald ( the mastermind behind the stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka and James and the Giant Peach), The Book Thief is set in 1930s Nazi Germany and follows the story of young orphan Liesel as she uses books to escape from the horrors of war around her. Living with her foster parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann, Liesel finds herself entering into a dangerous game of book thievery when she takes books from the mayor’s house in a bid to learn new words.

This international best-seller has moved readers all over the world and still feels startlingly relevant today.

Published in 2005, this deeply moving novel – following the story of a young girl who steals books in 1930s Germany – has been translated into 63 different languages and has already sold over 20 million copies. This international best-seller has moved readers all over the world and still feels startlingly relevant today.

Of the upcoming production, writer Jodi Picoult said, “The story of a foster child in Nazi Germany — who learns the power words have to both hurt and to heal — feels painfully relevant today. We hope that Liesel’s journey will inspire audiences to take a stand in the face of adversity, and to be agents of change in ordinary ways that just might change the world.”

A hauntingly beautiful tale which, we anticipate, will be transformed into a superbly crafted new musical.

Directed by Octagon Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham with music and lyrics by Elyssa Samuel and Kate Anderson, The Book Thief is a hauntingly beautiful tale which, we anticipate, will be transformed into a superbly crafted new musical.