Oliver Twist - the movie...

To celebrate what is a truly wonderful festive show we have brought back, possibly for a limited time only, one of the blog''s most popular features the show video promo. Not only can you see some footage from the show, you also get a glimpse of the show in rehearsal and the wonderful and charismatic Josette (Director) talking about the show. So definitely worth a look - go on, you know you want to....

Mixed Up North - the movie..

Unfortunately, our usual video lady, Donna, was unavaillable to film Mixed Up North as she was busy with a very important project. Namely, giving birth to her new baby girl. Congratulations Donna! However, the lovely Jon at Out of Joint sent me this video yesterday. It gives a really nice insight into the show and how the cast and director felt about working on this piece. anyway, have a look...

As Celia might say it's 'groovy'....

VIDEOS: Three of the Best from 24:7

One of the first events of the new BoltON programme is Three of the Best from 24:7. Now, through the magic of technology you can view a bit of each of the shows below.

5:30



Lub You



As We Forgive Them

Sing When You're Winning - production shots

I managed to sneak into the tech rehearsal for Sing When You're Winning (see the deets here). I am not a very good photographer, the lighting, the movement and the fact I couldn't use the flash mean't that a fair few pictures look like the one below...looks kinda cool but not very good for showing you what the show is all about. I have the greatest respect for Ian Tilton our production photographer for managing to capture such great production shots for our shows as it is not easy.

Anyway, here is one of the set. the photo doesn't do it justice as it looks really great and Lisa's inspired monochromatic colour scheme with accents of red works really well.

Here are some of the cast...

And here's the rest of them busting some moves or something...

They look a little apprehensive below don't they and I got a little carried away with photoshop...

And here's the Head of activ8 - the notorious C.A.Z. I tried to get photos of Lisa who is directing but she remains elusive as it was too dark. I think perhaps that is the mystique of Director types.

If the photos don't convince you then you need to blame my skills not the show as it looks (and sounds) great. The first show takes place this evening with further shows for Saturday. Tickets are a snip at only £6. You can read more about it and book your tickets here...

Line for the Comedy Mela

We have now had the line-up confirmed for the Comedy Mela on 19 June. Looks like it is going to be a really good night. Here's the skinny on the line-up....

Shazia Mirza



"Her laconic one-liners represent something quite unique in modern comedy."

William Cook, The Guardian

Shazia is a very funny award winning British Asian stand up Comedian from Birmingham England.

She works all over the world and has toured the US, Sweden, Denmark, France Holland and Germany. She has appeared on CBS 60 Minutes, NBC's Last Comic Standing, and Have I Got News for You (BBC) and not only that she has won various awards including: semi-finalist NBC's Last Comic Standing 2008; Winner of the GG2 Young Achiever of the Year Award 2003 andWinner of Metro Magazines in association with Jongleurs Comedy Clubs People's Choice Best Comic Award 2002

Shazia could have married a rich man and lived in a mansion on The Bishops Avenue, with servants, bidets, and horses. But instead she chose to drive up and down the country for as little as ten pounds, staying in dirty lurid bed and breakfasts trying to make people laugh. You can read more about her here.

Ryan Gough
Apparently Ryan he is on a famous advert on Asian TV network for chapatti flour as a wrestler and his face can be seen on lots of posters and bill boards in Indian food shops! I don't know why I say apparently because here he is...



Ryan performed his first gig in December 2000, jumping up on a comedy club stage to deputise for his mate who 'bottled it' at the last minute. As the compere introduced his nervous friends name, he bolted into the Gents and Ryan took the mike and treated the small Birmingham crowd to an improvised routine about the boredom of his job at the time.

Over three years and two hundred gigs later, Ryan has now graduated to a regular circuit act, performing at every comedy club from Newcastle to Plymouth. Being 6 foot 5 inches tall and touching on nineteen stone with a shaved head, a lazy eye and his trademark black leather coat, Ryan can look scary, intimidating and aggressive. But nothing can be further from the truth, Ryan's friendly banter with the audience makes him an ideal compere.

Imran Yusuf
Imran is an up and coming comic. Click here to have a look at him in action. I tried to embed it here for ease but it is not to be. Don't try and say that I don't do anything for you!

And here's what's being said:

“Imran is something I’ve never ever seen before… he almost rapped his gig… it had the rhythm of a rap. I’ve never ever, ever seen anyone’s delivery like that.” Adam Bloom, BBC Radio 7

“Whippet-thin Imran Yusuf is almost cartoon-like in his physicality, prancing nimbly round the stage, striking clownish poses and gurning comically when it’s called for. It’s a tour-de-force delivery, full of infectious vigour and life.”

Chortle 2008

“It's difficult to describe our middle act, Imran Yusuf, who is, in the reviewer's opinion, the most exciting and original act to grace the Big Jack's stage in a while. His lightning quick patter was mind boggling, veering crazily between different subjects and accents and demanding pop-eyed attention from start to finish. Definitely one to watch.”

Big Jack’s Laughter Club

“Gangling around the stage, all elbows and knees, ripping into himself in street slang. We were helpless with laughter - so many great gags in such a short time. We've never seen anything like it. He's a proper original who could really go places”.

Roar With Laughter

To book your tickets to the Comedy Mela call the Ticket Office on 01204 520661 or click here to book online.

Merchandise Go Viral

Along with contacting me about the line-up for the next event it seems Brad has not only been organising the Cityscape nights but has been making videos for his band Merchandise in his spare time. Not that he has a lot of spare time but the time he has he uses to the max. This video shoot took place whilst Mr Wood was waiting for a pizza. Brad explains a bit more about it here...

This video was shot at Unconvention in Salford on Friday night after a conversation (over a few beers and then a pizza) about video costs. Andrew Dubber from New Music Strategies.com decided we should make one then and there in the pizza shop. He got out a small digital camera and I quickly told my “co-star” Tracy Dempsey what the song was about and we synched to my ipod.

Afterwards, Dubber ripped the track from the ipod to his mac and in a few minutes we had this vid. It’s had tons of hits really quickly and loads of comments on the newmusicstrategies site. Have a look and let us know what you think of the budgetless (well Dubber got half a kebab pizza out of it) video as Merchandise go viral . . .

Lies Like These - Merchandise from Andrew Dubber on Vimeo.

The Seafarer - Behind the scenes...

Usually when I film the shows it tends to happen at the dress rehearsal so what you see is pretty close to what you see when you come to see the show proper. However, we decided to shoot this video of the Seafarer during rehearsals in the slightly less glamorous space of the rehearsal room. Thought it might be nice for you too see the show without grease paint (do they use that anymore?) set and costumes so there is still an element of the unknown when you come to see the show proper.

As Mark says on the video The Seafarer is a very funny show, it is also his last one as Artistic Director (sniff!) so double reason to come and see it. There is also rather a lot of 'choice' language by that I mean there is rather a lot of swearing, a loh hoh hot of swearing. So if swearing isn't your thing then do not, I repeat DO NOT click on the video below. However, if you are up for the craic click away....



Remember you can see past films of our previous shows by clcking the video promo link in the side bar or watch them on our YouTube channel.

Oleanna - the film

Have a look at the video promo for Oleanna. I think it packs quite a punch if you'll pardon the expression.

You can see previous video promos for Octagon shows on our new YouTube channel. Simply click here!

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....'

The Caretaker - the movie...

If you haven't yet had the chance to see The Caretaker here's a quick glimpse of what you are missing...



You can book tickets here or call the Ticket Office on 01204 520661.

Up Against the Wall - the movie...

You've seen the photos, read the reviews so here's a little snippet of the show. We also managed to grab the choreographer, Mr Paul J Medford, to talk a bit about his role and to show you a few moves in case you feel the need to have a boogie. Once you hear that famous high hat and guitar riff with a wah-wah (thank you Keith for those technical terms for some nice guitar action) from Shaft or the intro to Boogie Wonderland your muscles will start twitching and your toes will tap whether you are in control of them or not. Resistance to the funk is futile....

Danny the Champion of the World - The Movie

If the productions shots and the reviews weren't enough to wet your whistle or if they were and you want to see Danny the Champion of the World again then take a look at our latest video...

If you are a fan of Dahl, I thought you might be interested in reading this article in the Guardian. I found it on the ArtsList blog (thanks ArtsList!).

INTERESTING FACTOID: You might also like to know his name is pronounced Roo-ahl (to rhyme with Dahl) rather than 'Rolled'. So now you know.....

The Venetian Twins - Movie Madness

Sorry the video has been a bit later this time than usual. Well done to Donna for managing to capture the craziness that is The Venetian Twins. She must have been light on her feet when she was shooting it!

But not only can I bring you video footage of the show thanks to the awesome power of the internet, we have also had a fair few offline goings on too. Today the cast seranaded the rather startled patrons of our cafe (and not just seranaded there was also kissing - you know who you were you lucky ladies!)...see them in action here...



Not only that we decided to take a small slice of the show out onto Victoria Square. As you are probably aware the temperatures have plummeted so it was vey brave of the cast to come out in their under garments. Yes, you heard me correctly, if you were not around Bolton Town Centre on Tuesday lunchtime you missed seeing grown men in their under crackers!

I know, no underpants shown. I guess if you want to see them you might just have to get yourself a ticket!

Oh yeah and then there was also this! Yes, your eyes do not deceive you that is me in a promotional sandwich board with the lovely Paul Hunter, the director of the show!

See the things I have to do when promoting a show. What dedication!

Octagon faces doing screen time

A couple of little snippets that you might find of interest. John Doughty has appeared a few times at the Octagon over the last couple of seasons with his talk about The Pendle Witches. Well it seems that Octagon isn't the only place he is appearing, he will also be on BBC's One Show on 27th October (it starts at 7pm) so if you are fan of Pendle Witches or of John D then why not give yourself a Hallowe'en treat? Grab a cuppa and some cinder toffee, light the fire and give him some screen time.

On a screen of a different type, I was also sent a link to the following video round-up of the wonder that is the 24:7 Theatre Festival (thanks David!). Not only does it feature some of the shows that featured here at the Octagon as part of Four of the Best, one of our my previous colleagues, Marketing Marvel and ex-Communications Director (and 24:7 Theatre Festival 2007 writer and entrant!), Lesa Dryburgh and her partner in crime Michael Trainor also have a little chat....she tells me she reads the blog so Hi Lesa! Here's the vid...

Happy and Married?

We have been sent a video for the upcoming produciton of Happy and Married? If you want to learn a little more about the production and Freedom Studios why not take a look?

Here it is....

The Merchant of Venice - the film (not the one starring Al Pacino!)

The lovely Donna has been in again to capture some of the wonder that it the Merchant of Venice. If the magnificent reviews haven't been enough to tempt you, perhaps take a look at this and see what you think?

Cityscape presents...The Loungs and a new single

I have had a chat today with the lovely Brad from Cityscape Records (Hi Brad). Brad is the organiser of our new music nights, Cityscape presents, that take place in the Bill Naughton Studio Theatre. The evenings focuses on showcasing the local music scene and the range of new music and talent from all over the North West.

The next event will be The Loungs (pronounced The Lungs not The Lounges apparently - so you can look like you are in the know - I wasn't!) on 21 June. Tickets are selling nicely but you can still buy one if you fancy some 'foot-tapping, heart stonking trippy folk' - they will get you bopping and waving your arms!

They are being ably and suitably supported by the ever popular acoustic six piece, Moore Marriott, and the home-grown talents of Merchandise. You can read some of the reviews of Merchandise's new single here. Music Week has picked it as a tip and you get your copy from HMV Bolton and Manchester or if CD's are just to passe then, of course, you can do some computer jiggery pokery and download it from iTunes! If you want to have a quick listen and see them in action, have a look at the video below:

Meet the Mukherjees - The Movie...

For your delight and delectation, a short promo video for Meet the Mukherjees. Despite what I said here about there being male nudity in the production we have kept it clean for the film so it is suitable viewing for all! If you are disappointed about this then all I can say is book a ticket - you won't be sorry.....

Spring and Port Wine - The Movie!

The title of the post does not refer to the movie featuring James Mason, but a short promo of the Octagon's current production.



I think it's lovely and having watched it a member of staff, who shall remain nameless, has admitted to feeling a certain amount of nostalgia for this production, even when the run isn't yet half way through.

If watching this has reminded you to book tickets, then this piece of info may interest you. I have mentioned on a few occasions that tickets are selling like hot cakes, so much so that we have decided to put on an extra performance! There will be an additional matinee performance taking place on Saturday 26 April (at 2pm). We are taking bookings for it now so don't miss your chance to see it - call the Ticket Office on 01204 520661.

Road - the Movie

For your viewing pleasure, a short movie promo of Road.

You'll be pleased to note we managed to edit out the bad language for the video, but please be advised the production itself contains the frequent use of very strong language.

Thank you.