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...

Calling all Shakespeare Students

We are delighted to offer students that are studying Shakespeare tickets to see The Rape of Lucrece for just £5. Here are the details

Monday 22 February 2010

The Rape of Lucrece

Directed by Gareth Armstrong

“Shakespearean acting at its absolute finest” Three Weeks

“Powerful and horrifying...beautifully and excellently delivered by a master of his craft...You will rarely have the chance to experience great poetry brought to life this well” Fringe Review

"Sensational" Sir Trevor Nunn

Fresh from a critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival.Olivier award-nominee and RSC actor Gerard Logan presents his tour-de-force solo performance of Shakespeare's great narrative poem in our Studio.

This is a brilliant, brutal narrative poem giving an account of the terrible crime of rape and its dreadful consequences. for victim and perpetrator.

Time: 7.30pm

To claim your £5 ticket simply call the Octagon Theatre Ticket Office on 01204 520661 and quote ‘Shakespeare Student offer’. Tickets are subject to availability.

Reminder: You can also get under 26s free tickets every night this week for A Midsummer Night's Dream. Read more here. Call 01204 520661 to book yours.

Schools invited to free Dream event

An important note from our friends at the University of Bolton. They have contacted me to let you know that schools, colleges and youth groups with a passion for The Bard have an opportunity to investigate A Midsummer Night's Dream with academics from across the country.

The University of Bolton, in partnership with us here at the Octagon Theatre, are running an Investigate Day to explore the fascinating world of Shakespeare, with particular reference to A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Places are free, but must be booked before Friday 5 February, due to popularity. The event, for 14 year olds and over, is on Saturday 27 February, from 9.30am at the University, and concludes with a matinee performance of the play at the Octagon Theatre.

Key speakers will take those attending on a whistle-stop tour of Shakespeare and will explore how his work has transcended across many genres and mediums.

There will be a range of presentations by professionals, who will put Shakespeare under scrutiny. These include:

• Dr Mel Gibson from the University of Northumbria and EmmaVieceli a Graphic Artist at Self Made Hero Publishers, who will be discussing the graphic novel versions of Shakespeare's work;


• Brid Andrews, from the University of Bolton who will bediscussing the filmic adaptations of the play and


• Professor Richard Wilson, from Cardiff University who is an expert in the field of Shakespeare's work.

Said organiser, Rebecca Albrow, Creative Industries Project Manager at the University:

'This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone aged 14 yrs or over that has a passion for Shakespeare's plays.'

For further information please contact Rebecca Albrow (e) R.A.Albrow@bolton.ac.uk (t) 01204 903332. You can read more about the event on our website.

You can read an interview with Vanessa Kirby who play Helena in the production here and another in Citylife with Kiruna Stamell here.

What's New...

I have to apoologise for neglecting the blog for a little while. We have been in the midst of compiling and preparing print and the website for our brand, spanking new range of BoltON special events.

I can't tell you too much now about the programme but all being well events will be going on sale next week. There are some really good new events coming up, as well as some existing favourites, so keep your eyes peeled on our What's Pages for more info. If you want to be notifed by email about special events, then you can sign up to our enewsletter here.

Not only are we updating our special events programme, we are also smartening up front of house with some lovely shiny new displays for production photos and leaflets. Plus, if you have been in the theatre recently you may have noticed that we have installed some screens too. Hopefully, our Front of House facelift (well more of a nip and tuck really) will be ready for it's 'grand reveal' early February. I cannot assure it will look 10 years younger but I think it will be a more confident version of itself. Sorry I am getting carried away with the makeover analogies. Someone call Gok Wan....