STAGING two plays that were so personal to her, theatre director Elizabeth Newman likens it to asking someone out on a date. 

But the talented associate director of Bolton's Octagon need not have feared rejection, as her work has recently been nominated for a raft of awards. 

Every production she oversaw at the venue in 2014 has been nominated in the Manchester Theatre Awards — Duet For One, Separation, Love Story and Alice In Wonderland.

Elizabeth, from Croydon in south London, said: "We are thrilled. 

"I'm personally very thrilled because I feel so strongly about the work that I make for the audiences in Bolton and for the people who come to Bolton to see it. 

"To have it recognised in that way is a brilliant endorsement to all of the team of people that I've led, especially for the actors who have been nominated."

Last April saw her bring Duet for One and Separation to the Octagon stage, two Tom Kempinski plays performed in repertoire by Rob Edwards and Clare Foster.

Duet for One tells the story of concert violinist Stephanie Abrahams, who is forced to re-evaluate her life after being diagnosed with MS.

It is a story Elizabeth can relate to as, at the age of just 13, she was struck down by a neurological condition and had to abandon her dream of becoming a ballet dancer. 

At 16, she was told she would never walk again and embarked on a long and painful road to recovery, around the time her drama teacher introduced her to Duet for One.

Rob has been nominated for best actor for his appearance in the two plays while Clare is up for best actress and Separation for best production. 

The other nominations, for the awards to be revealed in March, are Lauren Samuels, in Love Story, for best actress; Love Story for Best Musical and Alice In Wonderland for best ensemble. 

Elizabeth said: "I was like a little giddy kipper when they came through. 

"You make something and you put it out there and it's a bit like asking people to go out with you. 

"If they say, I don't want to actually, you are utterly devastated — it's the worst thing in the world. 
"If they do, you are dancing on the rooftops.

"For Lauren and Clare and Rob to be recognised in that way and for the whole of the Alice ensemble — which was such an ensemble piece and they were so tight knit.

"With Love Story, I so wanted to do it. 

"I loved the piece. 

"Daniel and Lauren took a real leap of faith because I was asking them to work in a different way to how they normally act. 

"As actors who happen to sing but they went with it, to their credit.

"Daniel has had a part written for him in Holby City and Lauren has just been cast in Howard Goodall's new musical, Bend It Like Beckham, in the Keira Knightley part, off the back of the performance in Love Story.

"For them, it kind of became a vessel for the next thing."

Clare and Lauren will battle it out for the best actress award with Suranne Jones, in Orlando, and Maxine Peake, in Hamlet — both at the Royal Exchange — as well as Natalie Grady, in Hobson’s Choice, at the Octagon.

Elizabeth said: "For Lauren and Clare to be alongside Maxine and Suranne, actors who they respect. 

"And the same for Rob — Separation which is two actors sat on their telephones having conversations to be sat along big budget, wonderful productions. 

"We did Separation and Duet for One in five weeks — it did nearly break us. 

"I was dragging people along, saying come on we are nearly there.

"It does make you go, oh okay, we can breathe a sigh of relief."

Looking to the year ahead and Elizabeth is busy casting for Noel Coward comedy Private Lives which follows the flirtations, frivolities, aggression and anger between sparring newlyweds.

Elizabeth said: "It's such a great play. 

"We are going to have wonderful music in it and singing. 

"I just think audiences are going to have a really great time.

"It will be filled with laughter and fun.

"The reason why I love Private Lives, although it doesn't represent the relationship I'm in now, I have had a relationship like a Private Lives one. 

"I'm looking at it and laughing at how silly it is.

"How little they have to worry about and they are creating this drama that doesn't exist — what a sorry state of affairs.

"Noel Coward just got it bang on."

For the past five years, Elizabeth has directed the theatre's festive shows but this year, Roald Dahl's The BFG will be overseen by Sarah Esdaile.

Elizabeth said: "I felt like it was time for a change really. I've done five festive shows now and I'm a firm believer, as an artistic director of work, that you make sure an audience has variety, that they are not just watching the same things."

There will be more change at the Octagon in the coming months as the theatre's artistic director David Thacker is stepping down from his post after six years to head a new theatre degree at the University of Bolton.

Elizabeth, who lives by the notion that change is the only constant in life, said: "One has to see change as an opportunity, as an opportunity for evolution.

"So I guess when I heard the news, I was really excited for David because obviously he's thrilled about it.

"I know how much heart this community has in its theatre and I know they will embrace change in the way they embrace everything, with warmth and generosity of spirit that I have never experienced anywhere else."

Her other work includes several new writing projects, from collaborations with members of Bolton's vibrant amateur theatre scene to a programme with London's National Theatre and dipping her toe in the world of television.

In April, she was one of two theatre directors selected to learn about directing television through a scheme run by the Young Vic, BBC and Channel 4. 

She said: "TV was what I was raised on. 

"We never went to the theatre when I was growing up.

"To make that kind of drama that reaches millions is really exciting for me."