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!

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

Faces and figures

A couple of recent articles in The Bolton News. One here about the very lovely Vanessa Kirby and another one about something completely different here.

Actors Guide to Survival @ Nexus Cafe

When: Friday March 5th, 7pm
Tickets: £5 ADVANCE ONLY
From: http://actors-guide-to-survival.eventbrite.com/

PART ONE
Come join us for the DVD launch on Amazon.co.uk of the latest future artists film, the ‘Actors guide to survival’ with a screening and Q+A by director Mark Ashmore
Can’t make the event? Get the DVD here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0036U9M3W

PART TWO
Everything an Actor in the NW of England could want to know about work, fringe, and networks to kick the year off and the career!

Come network with actors/writers/directors and casting directors in our 'Actors Lab',
24/7 theatre festival will be letting you know about acting opportunities at this years festival, http://www.247theatrefestival.co.uk/

Actingclass.co.uk will be on hand to let you know about training opportunities, http://www.actingclass.co.uk/

Hartshorn productions will talk about their West End debut and running venues at Edinburgh Fringe festival, http://www.hartshornhook.com/hh/

A must for the serious actor who wants to know about what creative and acting opportunities there will be in the NW this year. More info and links here
http://www.myebook.com/index.php?option=ebook&id=27387

‘Actors Guide’ facebook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=394445110021&ref=ts

ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY

Bar Assistant Required

The William Hare Bar at the Octagon Theatre requires a committed, reliable, Bar Assistant to serve customers in a quick, efficient and pleasant manner. The Bar is open from 6.00 pm –11.00 pm Monday to Saturday each week and from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm on matinee performance days. Hours for this post are approximately 12 - 15 per week over 3 days.

Every four weeks during the production season the bar is closed from Monday to Wednesday, this is called Tech week. The bar is also closed during the summer maintenance period usually between July and August, when there is no work, and on some evening dates during December when hours will be reduced accordingly.

For further details and an application form please ask at The Spotlight Café, telephone 01204 529407 or email info@octagonbolton.co.uk

The Octagon Theatre positively welcomes applications from all sections of the community. http://www.octagonbolton.co.uk/

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....

Victoriana...

What with all that is going on in the auditorium with our production of Oliver Twist taking us back to Victorian London, it seems that the weather is getting in on the act with a scene outside the theatre that could be a Victorian Christmas Card...if you ignore the cars of course!

Coincidences...

Having just mentioned Corin Redgrave will be returning to the Octagon soon it brought something to mind that was once of those weird coincidences.

We had a Comms Away Day yesterday to do some planning, look at the needs to the department and our job roles etc but we decided to take it away from the office. We went to the Lowry for the afternoon. Currently, at the Lowry as well the The Sea: LS Lowry and Maggi Hambling (an exhibition of Lowry's work that focuses on the sea as well as other artists watery images) there is also an exhibition of famous faces, mainly in theatre roles taken on the last half-hour before curtain up which were quite lovely, intimate and interesting.

Anyhoo (this does have a point I swear) during a break from all that planning, we had a mooch around the exhibition and played 'Guess the Famous Face'. A little theatre-related visual quiz if you will. On our way round, I am ashamed to say I came undone on a very famous face. I knew the face and I just couldn't think of the name.....the actor? It was none other than Vanessa Redgrave and funnily enough it was a photo of her in a production of Ghosts from the Young Vic, directed by none other than our very own David Thacker! So if you want to see Corin's sister as well as a whole other host of famous faces in varying guises then mooch over to the Lowry. If you want to see a Redgrave in the flesh come and see Corin in Trumbo here in our Studio.....

We're on Radio 5...

Oscar-winning Slum Dog Millioniare Director, Radcliffian and general all round nice guy Danny Boyle mentioned the Octagon Theatre on Radio 5 live, yesterday (Thurs 15 Oct). He talked about his time as an usher here and his first theatre experience at the Octagon. I wonder if he fancies coming back to lend a hand?

Click on the link below to listen again
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0070lt

Vacancies...

We are looking for a few people to add to the lovely team here at the Octagon. Do either of the following sound like you?

Part Time Relief House Manager
To work two to three evenings per week as required may also include one daytime shift on Wed or Sat. You will lead the front of house team in ensuring audiences, participants and all building users receive the highest levels of customer care. Closing date for applications 12 noon on 23/10/09 and interviews will be held on 27/10/09.

Part Time Stage Door Receptionist
To work 12 hours per week on Tues 2.00 pm – 7.00 pm and Thurs 12 noon – 7.00 pm, £4.83 per hour/£5.80 age 22+. You will need to be organised with a pleasant telephone manner and have experience of general administrative duties and IT, busy position but must be able to work alone. Closing date for applications 12 noon on 23/10/09 and interviews will be held on 26/10/09.

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

Calling all short film makers...

DIGITAL SHORTS - APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

Vision Media are now inviting applications for their Digital Shorts scheme 2009/10, funded by Northwest Vision and Media and the UK Film Council.

The aim is to provide an opportunity for emerging filmmakers to develop their professional experience and create high quality digital films. We are searching for new stories that show passion and imagination.

Northwest Vision and Media will commission up to six engaging films of no more than 15 minutes and with budgets of up to £12,000. So get your cameras out.

Deadline is Thursday 5 November 2009.
For more information and to view the guidelines and application form, please follow this link: http://www.visionandmedia.co.uk/page/pti---digital-shorts

Octagon Patron appearing in Strictly Come Dancing

Like millions of other people I tuned into Stricly Come Dancing on Saturday night. I love the glitz and the glamour and of course the dancing both good and not so good. However, iIt seems I am not really up to speed this year as it had completely passed me by that one of our lovely patrons is appearing. The wonderful Lynda Bellingham. You can read more about her involvement here.

I think we should start a The Octagon votes Lynda campaign. Who is with me?

Freshers and Free Tickets

Parv and I went to the Fresher's Fayre at Bolton Community College today to talk to the young people there about the Free Theatre Tickets initiative. It was great to see the reaction amongst young people (on the spot research if you will) towards theatre which from some was overwhelmingly positive (hi Performing Arts Students and well done for your performances today - good chatting to you and come and see us soon) and others that were completely disinterested even with the offer of Free Tickets (you know who you are!).

Anyway, here's Parv on the phone trying to get some more brochures which nearly all disappeared in the first hour...

..a selection of the print. Ghosts and Oliver Twist seemed to be the most looked at...

The thing that amused me most was we were between stands for STI testing and the beauty students offering free manicures, hairstyling and other glamourising treatments. Hmmm, I think there is some moral comment about sexuality and sexual diseases that I could make here but I won't....! But it was fitting that the Ghosts print resided in the middle of these two.

Thanks to everyone that came to talk to us.

Bolton Food and Drink Festival

These ingredients can only mean one thing, the Bolton Food and Drink Festival (Fri 28 - Sun 30 August) is back and it’s better than ever. I can vouch for this as I went for a wander at lunchtime and my wallet is significantly lighter for it. My eye was caught by beautifully coloured and scented soaps (great stocking fillers for Christmas), a bottle of Dandelion and Burdoch Cordial (it was the lovely packaging) and the jewellery stall. Luckily, I had already had my lunch or I could still be out there grazing...

This year, celebrity TV chefs The Hairy Bikers and James Martin are heading to Bolton. The main event on Victoria Square, in the heart of the town, is the live Rangemaster Cookery Theatre and a speciality market offering great food and drink produce plus ample opportunities to sample and savour. My favourite site was a lady with a double buggy with three plates of different food on the hood so she could eat and browse at the same time. Now that's multi-tasking!

In addition, there’ll be events at participating local venues plus special offers at a wide range of restaurants and food outlets throughout Bolton. You can download your vouchers for the offers we are doign at the Octagon here and here

Calling all script writers in the North West

Organised Chaos Theatre Company are inviting writers living and/or working in the North West of England (Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire, Cumbria) to submit new scripts for entry into a new initiative they are running.

Writers are asked to submit an original script with a performance running time of up to 2 hours, any running time below this will be accepted. The script must be your own work and not previously published or professionally performed.

Please send your entries by email in word format including a cover sheet with the title and writers name.

Organised Chaos will commit to produce the selected play in Manchester in the early part of next year with the potential for future productions in the North West (and beyond) and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Writers should email their script to Kirsty or Gayle at organisedchaostheatre@gmail.com Deadline for submissions is 27th September 2009.

Community projects.

I caught a news item the other night about Tilda Swinton and her Screen Machine mobile cinema project. She is hoping to bring film to communities that no longer have a cinema by way of a 'cinema bus' called the Screen Machine. As she rightly pointed out most towns, back in the day, had a cinema of some description and she wanted to bring that resource back for a short period of time, encourage people to see little known films and share in a communal experience. Bolton, around 30 years ago, according to Keith (our finance man and expert on all things Bolton), had 3 'picture houses' in Bolton town centre alone. We obviously still have cinemas here but now they are more on the periphery. But anyhoo, this item got me thinking about communities.

This was compounded later that evening, there was a programme called Crime UK. A segment of this focused on how town planners were redesigning problem estates to provide a safer, crime free community. The bit on 'architecture with surveillance in mind' was very interesting but it also talked about Thames Valley Police and their community football scheme for the local young people. Both of these pieces prompted me to do a round up of some of the community focused projects that are currently on our radar:

Our involvement in the RECLAIM scheme.

activ8's Summer School project which plays to the public this week.

The first show of the new season, Mixed Up North, is based on the words and experiences of those involved in a community project in Burnley.

Our casting project for Oliver Twist where we encourage young people from the local community to audition. Please note: all applications must be received by 28 August so if your youngster wants to become part of the Octagon acting community request an application now!

Email: info@octagonbolton.co.uk
Call: 01204 529407).

RECLAIM

We are working with the lovely Abi at Urbis on the RECLAIM initiative. Here is a bit about it...

RECLAIM is an award winning leadership and mentoring project designed and delivered by Urbis. Starting in 2007, the project empowers young people across Manchester to make positive changes in their communities. RECLAIM enables some of the most disadvantaged young people to engage directly with the decision makers influencing their lives and their communities. By promoting leadership and facilitating dialogue with the police, council and media it helps those who are often marginalised to realise their voice.

RECLAIM takes place over six months. A cohort of young people identified as at risk of negative outcomes are nominated by their peers, schools, parents, and Youth Offending Teams. They are partnered with an adult mentor who supports them throughout the programme.

RECLAIM begins with a four day conference Urbis, featuring inspirational speakers, community and personal challenges and the creation of a youth manifesto for their area. Over the next 6 months the young people undergo a diverse programme of activities before graduating.

RECLAIM aims:

• To raise the aspirations, confidence and attainment of young people in disadvantaged areas of Greater Manchester
• To improve relations between young people and their communities
• To increase young people’s engagement in positive activity in their community
• To improve employment opportunities and employability skills of young people

Awards

•RECLAIM Philip Lawrence Award 2008 (above)
•RECLAIM National Crimebeat Award 2008
•Ruth Ibegbuna Peace Activist of the Year, Peace Week 2008
•RECLAIM/Urbis Optimism Arts and Culture Awards 2008
•Ruth Ibegbuna Kath Locke Award for outstanding contribution, Manchester Women Awards 2009

Future Plans

RECLAIM Breightmet, Bolton

New project working alongside Bolton Octagon, with 30 boys starting October 2009. Anticipated themes for the project:

• Developing a community identity and sense of place
• Raising aspiration

RECLAIM Bolton needs you! Are you male and aged 21 or over? Are you bright, resourceful, independent minded and inspiring? Are you passionate about working with young people? Can you commit to at least 6 months of focused mentoring?

Following the success of three previous RECLAIM projects we are looking to replicate the achievement with 30 Year 9 boys from the Breightmet area. We are looking for inspirational men from a diverse range of backgrounds to share their wisdom and insight.

If you can meet this challenge, contact the RECLAIM team for more information.

Email: reclaim@urbis.org.uk
Telephone: 0161 605 8200

Experiments in the Lab

You might remember me talking about the work that is going on here at the Octagon. I posted about the changes to the Dressing Rooms and the Bill Naughton Studio Theatre aka the Studio. These are pretty much finished now so I need to post some updated pics but we also made some changes to what was the Rehearsal Room.

It has been given a lick of paint...

And a tidy to brighten it up...

We have moved the door which makes an unbelievable difference. You can just about see the outline of where the old door was and the new door...

It looks fresh and bright and all ready for the experiments to begin. The Lab will be used as a space for rehearsals still but will also be used for workshops, experimentation, risk-taking and sharing new work.

More details on workshops and other events taking place in the Lab and the Octagon's other spaces will be announced soon. Watch this space...

Random Friday round up...

Although we are now 'dark' until the opening of our new season it doesn't mean things are quiet here at Octagon Towers. On Twitter, Out of Joint (our co-producer of Mixed Up North above) has highlighted that director Max Stafford-Clark is blogging for The Guardian no less! You can read what he has to say about young female playwrights here...

Thing are all change here in the Comms Dept as our leader, Monika, is leaving to have her baby today. I mean she is leaving today not having her baby today. However, I haven't yet seen her this morning so it is possible that she is having it as I type. I hope not as we haven't had our 'You're nearly having a baby' team lunch yet! Anyway, good luck Monika and Tom (but mainly Monika as she does all the work). With you two as parents, I am hoping you are bringing into the world a new generation of super marketing gurus!

So on Monday we will welcome a new/old face. This face belongs to Jon Gilchrist, who funnily enough used to do my job before going off to the The Lowry and then The Dukes in Lancaster. But Bolton is his home and we are delighted that he is coming back to keep an eye on things in Monika's absence. I will get him to introduce himself when he starts on Monday....

However, the changes are not just afoot in the Comms team but there are a few changes around the building too. What was the rehearsal room is being given a bit of a facelift and a new name 'The Lab'. Now as far as I know we will not be carrying out scientific experiments (the thought of David running around in a white coat in a Doc Brown from Back to the Future stylee amuses me plenty) The Lab is a place for experiments of the creative variety. Can't say much more about this at the moment but watch this space for what's coming up.

The Bill Naughton Studio Theatre (The Studio) is also getting some attention with a new permanent seating arrangement which creates more seats for all the exciting stuff that is coming to The Studio from September. We'll be launching our special events programme (it has a brand new name and everything) in a few weeks so either sign up to our enews letter, keep an eye on the blog or follow us on Twitter to be the first to know.

I will post photos of the building progress so you can have a look...

Octagon Theatre Bolton announces its 2009-10 season with nine productions

David Thacker, our new Artistic Director of the Octagon Theatre Bolton, today announced his first season of nine plays.


Introducing David Thacker in the Octagon’s new programme in our spangly new brochure for the 2009 -10 season is no less than Mr Make It So, Patrick Stewart himself, who writes:

‘I know of no other theatre in the country that is producing an eleven month season like this’

Building on the success of the Octagon’s 40th anniversary season David has planned a year long programme of work. The wide-ranging repertoire of productions includes plays by Shakespeare, Ibsen and Miller, a world premiere, a co-production, a revival of one of Mark Babych’s most successful productions, contemporary classics and a musical. David brings experience of the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, the Young Vic, the Dukes Playhouse Lancaster and many other leading regional theatres as well as ten years of outstanding television productions.

David said today, ‘It is an honour to follow in Mark Babych’s footsteps. He will be a very hard act to follow. John Blackmore, Executive Director, and Mark have made the Octagon one of the leading producing theatres in the UK and I hope to build on their impressive achievements’.

The season opens with the World Premiere of Mixed Up North (10 – 26 September 2009). This new play by Robin Soans, directed by Max Stafford-Clark, is a co-production with Out of Joint. Based on verbatim accounts of real events, the play explores, with wit and humour, the difficulties of uniting divided racial communities in the Lancashire mill town of Burnley.

The Octagon has established a reputation for its productions of plays by Arthur Miller and All My Sons (1 – 24 October 2009) will be the first play that David Thacker will direct. All My Sons is the work that launched Arthur Miller’s long and distinguished career in theatre. David has directed many of Miller’s plays and had a close working relationship with him. All My Sons is an unbearably moving and powerful family drama, about truth and denial, integrity and corruption, and personal responsibility during the extremes of war.

It was partly through the influence of Henrik Ibsen that Arthur Miller developed as a playwright and Ghosts by Ibsen (29 October – 21 November 2009) is the second play that David will direct at the Octagon. David has paired All My Sons and Ghosts to bring out the thematic connections between the two plays. Explaining this David said, “All My Sons and Ghosts are both plays in which, as Arthur Miller put it, ‘The chickens come home to roost’”.

The festive production will be a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist (27 November 2009 – 23 January 2010). This specially commissioned version by Deborah McAndrew delves into the heart of Victorian London and features original music and songs. The cast for Dickens’ masterpiece again includes local children, which was a winning element in the success of the hugely popular A Christmas Carol.

Known for his accessible and dynamic productions of Shakespeare, David starts the New Year with a production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream set in 1968 (4 February – 6 March 2010). David’s many modern dress productions of Shakespeare include Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet for the Young Vic, Measure for Measure for the BBC and The Two Gentleman of Verona, Julius Caesar and The Merchant of Venice for the Royal Shakespeare Company. He received Olivier Awards for Best Director and Best Revival for his RSC production of Shakespeare’s Pericles.

The Bolton Wanderers’ 1923 Cup Final triumph against West Ham United is often remembered because the match could only begin once the spectators were cleared from the new Wembley Stadium pitch by a policeman on a white horse. And Did Those Feet (11 March – 10 April 2010), by Les Smith and Martin Thomasson, which won the Manchester Evening News Award for Best New Play in 2007, is the story as told through the lives of the team’s supporters.

In the context of the current heated public debate about humour, censorship and the freedom of expression David has decided to revive Trevor Griffiths Comedians, which is widely believed to be one of the greatest plays of the 20th Century (15 April – 8 May 2010). Very funny and very challenging, Comedians deals with comedy, politics and the responsibilities of an artist in society.
To celebrate the centenary of the birth of Bolton playwright, Bill Naughton, David has chosen to present the regional premiere of Ayub Khan-Din’s warm-hearted and often hilarious play Rafta Rafta based on Bill Naughton’s play All in Good Time. Set in a terraced street in Bolton, Rafta Rafta tells the story of a newlywed couple in an Asian family. Sibling rivalry and tension between the father and son wreak comedic havoc with the start of their marriage (13 May – 5 June 2010).

David ends his season with the musical The Hired Man, which tells the moving story of an emotional love triangle that takes us right to the heart of Cumbrian life during the cataclysmic events that took place at the turn of the last century (10 June - 3 July 2010). The Hired Man is acclaimed for its epic, nostalgic and beautiful score. Based on the novel by Melvyn Bragg it became an award-winning musical when he collaborated with composer Howard Goodall.

A full programme of special events will be announced to the media soon. For more information aon any of these show click on the pictures or click here to visit our website.