Looking for Buddy - film noir!

If you want a sneak preview of what to expect from Looking for Buddy then look no further. As Phil the architect might say 'it's worth investigatin....'

Looking for Buddy - stop press....

It was press night for Looking for Buddy on Friday. If you are feeling a bit gloomy then this show will lift your spirits with some great gags that are beautifully delivered and uplifting songs that are brilliantly comic. Here's what the press are saying:

Mark Babych's slick production comes with a devastatingly downbeat central performance from Tim Healy, while Alan Barnes's brooding score proves that you don't need to be a legendary, LA-based private investigator to be a noir hero. THE GUARDIAN. Read more here...

This latest offering from the Octagon is short and very funny with some great live music and a superb lead performance, which all adds up to a fun night at the theatre that is to be recommended. BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE. Read more here...

The Octagon should be applauded for taking a risk on a brand new musical – something not often seen in regional theatres – and when it’s this much fun, this stands every chance of becoming the next Blood Brothers. WHAT'S ON STAGE. Read more here...

If you are looking for a night out that will make you laugh and a show that will make you tap your feet and clap along then get yourself a ticket for Looking for Buddy as soon as possible. THE PUBLIC REVIEWS. Read more here...

Director Mark Babych has come up with yet another production which is a credit to the Octagon – it’s fantastic that a whole new audience on the other side of the country will have the opportunity to experience it too. UK THEATRE. Read more here...

The laughs come thick and fast in this slick co-production dominated by moody video imagery. A delight from start to knee-kicking finish. THE STAGE. Read more here...

The production and direction are up to the Octagon’s usually high standards. MANCHESTER MUSIC. Read more here...

Looking at photos for Looking for Buddy

Looking for Buddy previewed last night and seems to have gone down a storm. Front of House staff have reported some very positive audience comments and have said there was a definite fizz in the air so it bodes well for press night tonight.

I haven't seen any of this show really since the read through right at the beginning of rehearsals. I have been saving it for tonight so I can also see it for the first time like the audience. Anyway, the production photos from Ian were in my inbox this morning and this has only added to my sense of excitement. It looks great. So if you want a sneaky peek have a look at the photos below..

Print of the Week

The lovely people at Arts About Manchester distribute all of our print (as well as other services too numerous to mention) but they also encourage venues with lovely accolades such as Print of the Week. Well guess who was this weeks winner....well (she says bashfully) it was us. Here's what they had to say (blush, blush)

And the most innaccurately named yet highly sought after honour goes to.....

The Octagon Theatre, Bolton for The Caretaker and Looking for Buddy, both of which are designed by http://www.dna.tc/ (cue massive cheers and applause)!

As you should hopefully be able to see (despite the poor quality of the photo) the A5 flyers sit nicely in the racks, with the crucial information (like the name and date of the show) clearly visible and eye-catchingly presented alongside The Octagon's logo.

The front of the flyer also includes the ticket prices and booking options, helpfully divided into "call", "click" and "vist", as well as an additional detail to add extra appeal to each production. Looking for Buddy has a shiny "World Premiere" star and The Caretaker flyer incorporates a great quote from The Independent.

The back of the flyer is neatly divided into four sections. The top one contains information about the show, including a clear age reccomendation. The second has information such as times, prices, and "special diary dates", which is a great touch and refers to both bargain nights and special performances like meet the director events and BSL interpreted performances. The final section repeats the booking information shown on the front of the flyers. It is the third section, however, that really made these flyers stand out this week. This section (in blue) tells the reader what the next show at The Octagon will be, effectively promoting two shows in their print for the price of one!

Sally Boyd, the Audience Development Manager at The Octagon Theatre, Bolton has gracefully shared the glory and given credit where it is due to Lee at DNA for his work on the design and Joel Chester Fildes and William Chitham for the images.

I would not only like to thank Lee, Joel and Will for their sterling work but also my mum, husband, the Golden Buddha and the Tyne Bridge for making this possible [sob!]...

Tim Healy stars in Octagon Theatre World Premiere

Why-Aye man (ahem sorry about that!) but we are delighted to announce that the distinguished Geordie actor, Tim Healy, will be making his Octagon debut in the World Premiere of Alan Plater’s new witty musical play Looking for Buddy, which runs from Thurs 2 Apr - Sat 25 Apr 09.

Tim Healy's credits include the role of Dennis in the cult 80s TV drama Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Dad in the theatre production Billy Elliot – The Musical, where he was nominated for Best Performance in a Supporting Role – Olivier Awards in 2006. Tim is currently starring in BBC One’s Waterloo Road. You can read more about him here.

Tim Healy will be playing the part of Phil, a Geordie private eye who is searching for a lost recording by his jazz hero, Buddy Bolden. During his search he introduces a host of canny characters including a blonde 'to make a bishop kick a hole in a stained glass window' and a whole hosts of witty toons, sorry, tunes (I am getting carried away with the Geordie dialect man).

Tim will be joined by a canny cast including some real some bonny lasses so divvent miss it. Does he find Buddy's recording and does he get the girl? Mebbe he does, mebbe he doesn't...you'll have to watch it to find out!