A WORLD premiere production in which the secrets and myths of the notorious Rat Pack are revealed on stage features among next season's Octagon theatre programme.

The musical play Rat Pack Confidential takes the veil off the world of stars, starlets, mobsters and politicos, casinos, clubs and girls in which the original Rat Pack -- Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop -- rose to fame.

The new musical promises to "dish the dirt and delights of the Rat Pack" and will see The Octagon working hand in hand with Nottingham Playhouse.

Mark said: "This is a real coup for us because Nottingham is one of the top theatres in England."

Rat Pack Confidential is one of several high profile productions included in the programme for the coming autumn and winter season which is set to put the Bolton theatre firmly on the world stage.

Among a varied programme are two world premiere productions, new work from two of the country's favourite playwrights, and a first visit to the Octagon from the National Theatre. And for the first time in almost 20 years, the theatre's community theatre Activ8 is taking a newly commissioned play on the road.

The introduction of the exciting programme marks a step forward for the theatre which little more than three years ago was fighting for financial survival.

Artistic director, Mark Babych explained: "To have six new plays in a programme for regional theatre is fantastic. The last two seasons have been particularly successful. We have consolidated and it has given us a lot of confidence.

"What has been really pleasing is the balance we have been trying to achieve. We now have a clear artistic policy. And each thing we now do is given equality of status."

This includes the work done by Activ8 and the productions which take place in the building's smaller stage, the Bill Naughton Theatre.

The theatre will be showing a new play by Debbie Oates entitled Score from October 24 to 26. Following its short run, the production will then take to the road visiting schools and community groups in the region.

The season's programme also continues the Octagon's close relationship with two of the country's leading writers, Alan Ayckbourn and John Godber.

The theatre will be once again showcasing new plays by both writers. Godber's Hull Truck Theatre Company will be presenting his new comedy Men of the World in September. The following month an Ayckbourn double bill will present an old favourite, Joking Apart, and a new piece, Snake In The Grass. Ayckbourn's Stephen Joseph Theatre company from Scarborough will perform the plays.

Among other work being undertaken is the Octagon's own productions The Lonesome West in November, and its Christmas show, The Firebird.

The Lonesome West is written by Martin McDonagh who penned A Skull In Connemara, shown last year at the Octagon.

The Firebird is written by Neil Duffield, the Bolton man responsible for last year's Christmas Octagon production, The Snow Queen.

To add colour and variation to the programme, there will be "comedy one-nighters" in September featuring Mark Steel and Jeff Green. Masala Girls, a fast paced comedy sketch show, which will also visit in September.

Mark said: "I am very excited about everything on our new programme, but am personally excited at the prospect of directing Lonesome West. This is the last in McDonagh's trilogy of plays and follows on from A Skull In Connemara. It is a wonderfully funny play, quirky and irreverent, and by a contemporary living dramatist."

Children too have not been ignored with a series of theatre Saturdays planned.

Mark added: "This current season, coming to an end, has been very successful. It has given us a lot of confidence, and we now just want to get better and better." In addition to the list of premieres, a new Octagon brand and logo has been introduced.