The Octagon Blog Has Moved!!

Out with the old and in with the new! We have an exciting new home for our new blog here so please come and visit us for all of the latest news, reviews, production images and more!

We can now be found at: http://blog.octagonbolton.co.uk

Rafta Rafta - Reviews

Friday was the press night for Rafta Rafta, and I have to say that my first press night at the Octagon was a brilliant experience! Met lots of lovely new people and thoroughly enjoyed the show. As did a lot of other people as well if the reviews are anything to go by, check them out here and be impressed!

"WOW... a glittering play that captures the diversity on offer at the Octagon and captures just the right mix of comedy and social realism. Brilliant." THE BOLTON NEWS Read more here...

"This excellent in-the-round production, proving the original's ongoing relevance, is a fine centenary tribute." CITYLIFE.CO.UK Read more here...

"A strong ensemble and great script make this an incredibly entertaining night at the theatre." UK THEATRE NETWORK Read more here...

"An extremely funny play that had the whole audience rocking with laughter." THE BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE Read more here...

"...the future looks extremely bright for the arts in the North West, in particular for the wonderful Octagon." DICKIEANDBUTCH.COM Read more here...

Making a song and a dance for more men!

'Sure, he's cute - but if only he could sing!'

It will come as no surprise to women in the North West that there is a shortage of men out there, but what about men who can sing?

Emmerdale star Amy Nuttall (pictured above) is making a desperate plea for male singers to form part of the community choir in Bolton Octagon’s forthcoming production of The Hired Man.

Directed by David Thacker, and starring Amy Nuttall in one of the lead roles, the production includes a community chorus that is made up entirely of volunteers from the Bolton area.

However, it would seem that there is a distinct lack of vocal confidence amongst Bolton’s male population, with a staggering three quarters of the choir consisting solely of women!

The Octagon would like to redress this balance and give the men of Bolton the opportunity to tread the boards and raise the roof! So, if you think you can carry a tune, are over the age of 18, male, and willing to commit your time, then please contact Elizabeth Newman for more details: elizabeth.newman@octagonbolton.co.uk.

New Arrivals

It's all change in the Communications Department here at the Octagon - well for the time being anyway! Sally Boyd, resident blog expert, is now on maternity leave and I will be taking the helm until her return. Any comments, news, thoughts are all welcome so keep them coming!

Sally barely had time to put her feet up and enjoy her new-found freedom before her baby was on the way, little Maisie arrived on Saturday 1 May and both mum and baby are doing well - congratulations from all of us at the Octagon!

Last Laugh at the Octagon - Reviews

This week is your last opportunity to catch Comedians here at the Octagon, running until Friday 8 May, so make sure you squeeze some space in the diary to come along this week!

If you’re still in need of a little persuasion then take a look at some of the stunning reviews received so far...


"Rated 4/5" THE INDEPENDENT read more...

"Comedians is an immensely funny, thought-provoking play which, in David Thacker’s energetic revival, entertains on so many different levels." THE STAGE read more...

"It is a really good play featuring intelligent debate about how we portray our society through comedy and the real meanings and motivations behind that portrayal…" BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE read more…

"There was a period, during the rise of alternative comedy, when Griffiths's drama about a night class for old-school club entertainers looked as if it might have become obsolete. Now that at least three British universities offer modules in standup – not to mention the furore over Jimmy Carr's "edgy" material and "Sachsgate"– it warrants another look." THE GUARDIAN read more...

"...thanks to the outstanding cast and direction at the Octagon, it is Trevor Griffiths who has the last laugh." THE BOLTON NEWS read more…

Comedians - production photos

Well, today is the press night of Comedians and it coincides with my last day in the office and having seen the quality of the production photos I am leaving the blog on a high. They look smashing.

So there will be a few changes going on here over the coming months. A new Octagon blogger, a new face in our department as well the fruition of some other projects that have been going on in the background - more to be revealed at a later date. Exciting times...

Beating Berlusconi! - Reviews

Beating Berlusconi! is on tour and is getting some really nice reviews. It arrives here on Thursday 29 April. If you are, dare I say it after the run of And Did Those for fear of upsetting all those Wanderers, a Liverpool FC fan or just a fan of Liverpool then this show is unmissable...

"A must for anyone, theatre fan, LFC fan or otherwise. Any play that can genuinely bring out the laughter and tears in equal measure is worthy of any stage." LIVERPOOL DAILY POST Read more here...

"That's the magic of this production: it's not the story of one man, it's the story of many men and as the many characters make up the play, these many men make up Liverpool and their shared experience of one day in Istanbul is part of the cultural glue which binds them...It's not a play about football, it's a play about the heart of a city and how and why it beats." LIVERPOOL ECHO Read more here...

"Footage from the history of the city, the club and, most importantly, Istanbul adds to the intensity and reality of the raw emotion in the show. This play may have been tailor-made for local audiences but it is this that has made it such a nationwide success.

Whether or not Liverpool go all the way and lift the Europa League this season, the homecoming performances of 'Beating Berlusconi' at the end of May which relive one of the greatest nights in sporting history makes this show a must-see for anyone, football-obsessed or otherwise." CLICK LIVERPOOL Read more here...

Five Reasons to See Comedians...

There is a nice little piece on the What's On Stage website on the reasons to see Comedians according to Richard Moore who stars as Eddie Waters. You can read the piece in full here...

I have also just seen some of Bolton Camera Club's exhibition being put up in the Bar. They went into rehearsals of Comedians and have taken some really nice photos of the cast preparing for the show. You can see some more of their photos here.

Free Comedy event - Late Night Geek Fight

activ8 have taken a leading sketch comedy group and put them together with a group of local young people and given them one week to rehearse.

Young people from across the town - some performing for the very first time - have been making new friends, leanring new skills and creating comedy gold for your enjoyment.

These brand new sketches are made entirely by them and are all about the world they live in. You never know. You might see yourself up there?

Date: Saturday 10 April 2010

Time: 7pm

Venue: The Octagon Theatre Bolton

Tickets: Free!!

Free comedy workshop for young people

There is such a thing as a free lunch. If you are aged 11 - 15 why not come and join activ8 for some free food and a comedy workshop? You don't need any experience - you just need to be up for a laugh!

A free lunch will be provided and then you and your friends can take part in a comedy workshop with professional performers and other young people from Bolton.

There's no need to book, you can just turn up. If you want more info call activ8 on 01204 556501.

Time: 1pm
Date: Saturday 10 April 2010
Venue: Trinity Church, Tonge Old Road, Tonge Fold

Easter Opening Times

Just to let you know our opening times over the Easter period:

Good Friday
Ticket Office: 4pm-8pm
Stage Door: closed

Saturday
Ticket Office: 10am -7.30pm
Stage Door: closed

Easter Sunday
Ticket Office: closed
Stage Door: closed

Easter Monday
Ticket Office: 4pm-8pm
Stage Door: closed

Comedians - meet the line up...

As these apprentice comedians prepare to perform their acts in front of a live audience, Eddie Waters [above], aka The Lancashire Lad, is delighted to introduce the stand out line up for Comedians (opening on 15 April) . Which of these comedians are set for stardom and which will fall at the final hurdle?

On the bill are:

Name: Mick Connor
Occupation: Builder
Hometown: Somewhere in Ireland
What they say
"I want to be famous. I want to be rich and famous. What's wrong with that...?"

Name: George McBrain

Occupation: Docker

Hometown: Belfast

What they say

"Tonight you will see...something! I have what it takes. And when you have it...by God you have it!"

Name: Gethin Price

Occupation: Van Driver
Hometown: Clayton
What they say
"I don't like telling what to think. That's all. I don't want telling what to feel"

Name: Ged Murray / Phil Murray
Occupation: Milkman / Insurance Agent
Hometown: Blackley
What they say
Ged "When are you gonna face it; you're not funny. You're a straight. You can't work on your own but I can."
Phil "I'd done clubs..Like the bloody wild west, both of 'em. There was nothing wrong with me. My troubles started when I took you on, believe me."

Name: Sammy Samuels
Occupation: Club Owner
Hometown: Middleton
What they say
"I wouldn't be seen dead working in a club like mine. I want the tops, I want TV, I want the Palladium"

Comedians in training

Rehearsals for Comedians are now in full swing. There are a few members of the company still to arrive but we should have a full compliment next week. I am delighted to hear that we may also be joined by Trevor Griffiths [Comedians writer] which is very exciting. You can see some more images of the rehearsals below.

Job vacancy - Development Manager

Following a period of unprecedented success, we are looking to make a major appointment in what promises to be one of the most exciting times in the Theatre’s history. The role will involve working closely with the Theatre’s new Artistic Director, David Thacker, and the Executive Director, John Blackmore, to expand the current fundraising programme and devise and spearhead a new development strategy. The role requires significant experience in all areas of arts fundraising. It will initially be offered as a year-long contract.

For further details and an application form telephone 01204 529407 or email info@octagonbolton.co.uk

Closing date for applications 12 noon on Tues 4 May 2010
Interviews will be held at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton on Tues 11 or Weds 12 May 2010

Job vacancy - Press and Communications Manager

We are seeking an experienced Press and Communications Manager to help expand the profile of the Theatre on a regional and national basis.

The role requires an individual with a comprehensive knowledge of press and media relations and a thorough understanding of theatre and the arts. The candidate will have outstanding copywriting skills and an up to date understanding of developments in online media. The position will be on a fixed-term contract until 14 January 2011.

For further details and an application form telephone 01204 529407 or email info@octagonbolton.co.uk

Closing date for applications: Mon 12 April 2010
Interviews will be held at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, w/c 19 April 2010

The Hired Man - cast news

There is a nice piece in The Bolton News today about Amy Nuttall coming to perform in our upcoming production of The Hired Man. She talks a bit about why she wants to perform in Bolton and what attracted her to this production.

As she says in her interview:

"The score is very beautiful - it's very different to a lot of musicals out there..I like something that has got guts to it, that packs an emotional punch".

You can read the full article here.

As you can see from the photoshoot, Amy will be performing alongside Kieran Hill who recently appeared as Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream and will soon be seen on stage (with an interesting new haircut) as Gethin Price in Comedians.

Comedians - an update

After And Did Those Feet we will welcome Trevor Griffiths’ landmark play Comedians to Bolton.

Set in Manchester in the mid-1970s, the play broke exciting new ground and is considered by many to have signalled a revolution in stand-up. It asks the question: is comedy just about the laughs? A group of ordinary men gather in a school for a night course in stand-up comedy. It’s run by ‘The Lancashire Lad’ Eddie Waters: once known as the hardest-hitting comedian on the circuit. He is determined to promote comedy as an art form and believes that comedians deliver more than just gags. On the night of his apprentices’ big performance, an agent arrives from London to open the door to fame and fortune for the lucky few. But at what price?

The role of Eddie Waters will be played by Burnley born and bred Richard Moore [above], who is celebrating his fiftieth year in the entertainment industry. He is best known for playing the popular Jarvis Skelton in Emmerdale and Curly in the hit drama Band of Gold. He said:

“The North West, and Bolton in particular, is rightly viewed as a spiritual home of comedy. It’s not a coincidence that while Comedians is on at the Octagon, Peter Kay is playing some o the biggest comedy gigs in stand-up history just up the road in Manchester. He’s very much a comedian in the mould of my character, Eddie Waters – a man of the people, in love with the craft of making people laugh.

“But the play is not just a comedy; it looks at what is an acceptable source for jokes. Has the time of the mother-in-law joke or the Englishman, Irishman and Scotsman joke passed? What is it okay to laugh at? In light of the national debate around Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross, this is clearly an issue that will run and run!”

He is joined by Huw Higginson and Mark Letheren who are also appearing in the Octagon’s production of And Did Those Feet, and Kieran Hill and Russell Richardson who recently appeared at the Theatre in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The cast also includes Colin Connor, Howard Crossley, Brendan Foster, Simon Nagra, John Bramwell and Sevan Stephan.

Comedians will play from Thursday 15 April – Saturday 8 May 2010. Tickets are from £9 on 01204 520661, or at http://www.octagonbolton.co.uk/

Job Vacancy - Cleaner

Cleaner required for the Octagon Theatre

Hours: 7.00 – 9.30 am Mon to Sat and 2 or 3 afternoons per week 3.30 – 5.00 pm on a rota system, minimum of 15 hours per week

Pay: £5.80/£4.83 per hour. Telephone 01204 529407 for an application form and further details or email info@octagonbolton.co.uk

Closing date for applications 5 pm on 30/03/10
Interviews to be held on 01/04/10

The Octagon Theatre positively welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

And Did Those Feet - reviews

Although in reality it isn't that long since And Did Those Feet graced the stage as part of our Anniversary season, seeing it again (despite having seen it four times in 2007) felt good. Really, really good. Despite knowing sections of the script almost by heart I still, genuinely, laughed at the comedy. Particularly, at most things delivered by the wonderful Martin Barrass and also Naomi Radcliffe's dismay at the lack of opportunity to make her perfect day just that.

I think a fair few people in the audience find "something in their eye" when Jerusalem is played at the end, the difference with seeing the show the revival was the emotional impact of the scenes focused around Sue Twist [as Hilda] and her on stage and completely bereft husband, Alf, played by Huw Higginson. I never thought that seeing a grown man bouncing a football with a far away look in his eye and a trembling lip would bring me to tears but it did. I could blame that on being pregnant but it wouldn't be fair to do so. It is due to the heartfelt and very real performances of these great actors. Anyway, enough from me. Here is what the press are saying...

"Mark Babych’s revival of Bolton’s very own play, with universal themes, is an utter joy to behold." THE STAGE Read more here...

"...it is the comedy that is most successful in this play, both in the writing and the performances. Martin Barrass... achieves perfect comic delivery... The comic banter between Mark Letheren as Ted, the superb Naomi Radcliffe as Martha and Curtis Cole as Jim also works very well... Mark Babych keeps the pace well and adds some lovely little touches... great use of sound from sound designer Andy Smith... great fun and at times hilarious, tightly and imaginatively directed and very well performed." BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE Read more here...

"Foxton’s design is reliably wonderful, and it’s a real coup to have Arun Ghosh’s compositions... Naomi Radcliffe is a touching and confused Martha... Susan Twist (always excellent) and Huw Higginson are very impressive... Snappy and well-paced, the play is a copper-bottomed popular hit... a thoroughly agreeable night out." THE PUBLIC REVIEWS Read more here...

"At a time when, to many people, Bolton is struggling as a town, this is the sort of play that can make you really proud of where you live.This is a play for anyone who loves Bolton, its football team or who appreciates plays about social history. I could watch it seven nights a week - it really is that good." THE BOLTON NEWS Read more here...

"Former artistic director Mark Babych returns to the Octagon to deliver a wonderfully textured piece of work that never fails to entertain.And Did Those Feet certainly has that feel-good effect and leaves the audience feeling much happier and even moved by the experience, which, these days, is quite an achievement." WHAT'S ON STAGE Read more here...

"But if you saw the original production, as I did, you will surely welcome the chance to see it again. And if you didn’t, don’t miss it. You don’t have to be a Boltonian and football fan to enjoy it." CITYLIFE Read more here...

"This is an excellent production of a cracking script and a great evening’s entertainment with some moving performances. Having witnessed so many magnificent Octagon productions recently – not least the recent superb Midsummer Night’s Dream - I am sure it will go on to be yet another winner for the Bolton team. Go and see it..." WRITE OUT LOUD Read more here...

"The flashbacks to war are genuinely affecting... But there’s also a great deal of warm northern humour, notably from Martin Barrass reprising his role as eccentric newsagent Bob... revived by its original director Mark Babych... who seems to have added a lustre to an already highly polished product, aided by a revised script... Lesley Hutchinson’s slickly and imaginatively choreographed crowd scenes are a comic treat..." UKTHEATRENET Read more here...

"its appeal’s evident in the rousing cheers and standing applause at the end – not the predetermined yowls of first-night metropolitan cast-friends nor the relieved irony of school-parties, but genuine enthusiasm for a story that touches (indeed, hits fair and square) people’s hearts and minds." REVIEWSGATE Read more here...

And a transcript of the review from Clitheroe Advertiser...

Former artistic director, Mark Babych returns to the Bolton Octagon to direct a revival of a production of And Did Those Feet. He directed the world premiere of this play in 2007. The plot tells the story of the famous FA cup final of 1923 when Bolton Wanderers played West Ham in the first ever final at Wembley Stadium with its iconic twin towers. I have to confess I have little knowledge and even less interest in football. I was raised in a rugby playing family.

However I found myself drawn in and captivated by this play by Les Smith and Martin Thomasson. It is a pleasurable evening of nostalgia and humour with a great feel-good factor. All the Bolton references delight the home audience but even the visitors can enjoy the witty script. The story of Bolton’s triumph is told through the experiences of four men, Bob the endearing comic turn, (Martin Barrass)), brothers Ted, (Mark Letheren) and Jim (Curtis Cole) and Alf (Huw Higginson). Jim is an avowed communist who loses his job. Ted is planning his wedding to Martha (Naomi Radcliffe). Alf, despite the pleas of his wife Hilda (Susan Twist), cannot bear to watch the team since the death of his son Billy (Chris Finch) in the War. Billy appears as a ghost inspiring his father to recall just what the love of one’s team can be.

There are some clever tricks, such as the pastiche of early films and newsreels and some catchy clog dancing that enliven the action and as the climax approached I found myself thrilled with anticipation at the prospect of victory. For a little while I was a real footie fan. This is a heart-warming reminder of a splendid achievement by a Northern Football Team and the Town that made them. (Pippa Munro Henden)

You can book tickets by calling 01204 520661 or clicking here.

And Did Those Feet - production images

I am delighted to report that And Did Those Feet opened last night. I have to admit that I have a huge soft spot for this show and I still think that the press night for the show last time around (during our Anniversary Season in 2007 when the show premiered) was one of the most remarkable atmospheres of any press night I have attended at the theatre.

So here we are on press night afternoon for And Did Those Feet 2010 and I can't wait to see how the show is received this time round. If you have booked for the show but have to wait a few days before you see it here are the production photos...