THE curtain will be raised on the Albert Halls' first in-house production this winter.

The theatre, which has undergone a multi-million pound transformation, is bringing the hit musical The Last Five Years to the stage in November.

And in another first, the Alberts Halls — which is usually serves as a venue for touring productions — will be staging the the show in the round to “deliver an immersive and intimate audience experience”.

James Edgington, one half of the Father and Son duo who won the nation’s hearts after appearing on Britain’s Got Talent, will direct the show, and star Sam Lupton and Stephanie Clift, who are re-uniting for production after previously playing opposite each other in the UK tour of Little Shop of the Horrors.

The Albert Halls is known for hosting hit productions, with for example the Russian National Ballet performing Swan Lake later this year, but not for producing in house shows.

A spokesman said: “Albert Halls Bolton is set to transform its theatre space for the venues first in-house production since its impressive renovation.

“Hit musical, The Last 5 Years will run from November 21-23, an emotionally powerful and intimate musical looks at the relationship of New Yorkers Cathy and Jamie.

"The show’s unconventional structure consists of Cathy, telling her story backwards while Jamie, tells his story chronologically.

"The two characters only meet once, at their wedding in the middle of the show.”

The Last Five Years premiered at Chicago’s Northlight Theatre in 2001 and was then produced Off-Broadway in March, 2002 before touring the world to critical acclaim. It has since been adapted into a film starring Anna Kendrick.

Albert Halls played host to Sir Arthur Conran Doyle

The spokesman said: “Cathy is a vivacious struggling actress, and Jamie a hotshot up-and-coming novelist.

"Watch their relationship from tragic end to hopeful beginning and hopeful beginning to tragic end, as Jamie and Cathy share their separate tale of their last five years together.

“The Last Five Years takes audiences on the emotional rollercoaster through the heart-rending relationship of leading characters Cathy and Jamie chronicling the story from opposite ends of the relationship.

"Jamie’s story moves forward from the beginning of the relationship when all the hope and excitement still lies ahead, and Cathy’s heart-breaking opening at the tragic end of the relationship where all hope is lost, her story moving in reverse through turbulent times back to the start of the relationship.”

To book tickets call 0843 2080500 or go online at www.alberthalls-bolton.co.uk