Hoghton Tower inspires new play
A professional theatre cast ‘got into character’ in the setting of Preston’s Hoghton Tower, for their production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.Some believe the Bard spent time in Lancashire, staying at both Hoghton Tower and Knowsley Hall during his formative years.
These regional links have provided the inspiration for Bolton Octagon Theatre’s production as a Lancashire comedy that explores the ‘upstairs, downstairs’ world of the story. So the production’s 10 actors took a break from the rehearsal room to take a trip to Hoghton Tower to meet Sir Bernard de Hoghton (the 14th Baronet), to discover more about the Bard’s connection to Lancashire. They were able to investigate the building, with Sir Bernard as tour guide, enabling them to imagine the world in which the play is set. The tour included a visit the room which is said to have been where he taught the children of the house. Twelfth Night runs until March 22. Box office: 01204 520661.