Parking Your Sleigh

Just some information that I thought it would be useful to share if you are visiting the theatre over the festive period.

The Theatre is closed Tues 25 December and Tues 1 January.

Trains will not operating from Bolton to Manchester between Wednesday 26th December and Saturday 29th December.

The APCOA car park (adjacent to the Octagon Theatre) is only open for limited hours and is CLOSED on some days :

Monday 24th December – open until 5pm
Tuesday 25th December – CLOSED
Wednesday 26th December – CLOSED
Thursday 27th – Sunday 30th December – open as usual
Monday 31st December – open until 5pm
Tuesday 1st January – CLOSED
Wednesday 2nd January onwards – open as usual

STOP PRESS - Theatre Awards News Just In

For those of you that are at home or work and on the edge of your seats awaiting the results of the MEN Theatre Awards, then wait no more. Thanks to my insider at the event I can confirm the news as it breaks.

I have just heard that Octagon nominee And Did Those Feet has won 'Best New Play' and James and the Giant Peach have walked away with 'Family Show'!!

So there we have it! Two awards for the Octagon this year and a big congratulations to all concerned! I have asked my roving reporter to try and get a few pictures of the goings on, award acceptances and general frivolity and will hopefully post them in due course!

Update: here's a run down of all the winners and the panels thoughts. And you can read more and see some photos of the event here.

A Christmas Carol - The Movie

I am not talking about the Christmas Carol movie featuring the voice of Kate Winslet, the one featuring Alastair Sim or the one with Michael Caine and the Muppets (my personal favourite) but the video promo for our current production of A Christmas Carol.



If this trailer isn't enough to tempt you, you can see production shots here and here or read the reviews here.

Behind the scenes of Millboys, Chavs and Space Cadets

You may have read about activ8's production of Millboys, Chavs and Space Cadets here or one of the performers diaries here but if that wasn't enough you can watch the movie of the making of this ambitious production below. Caz Brader (Producer and Head of activ8) and Ellie While (Director and Children and Youth Drama Facilitator) talk about how the production came into being, you can see the cast in rehearsals and hear what some of the talented, young people involved had to say. Thanks once again must go to Donna Gidman and her expertise with all things film.

The Pink Medicine Project - Volunteers Required

Is Emily Pankhurst one of your heroes?

Do you think the Suffragettes had real girl power?

Do you believe that women are equal in today's society?

Do you have an interest in acting, drama and theatre?

On March 8 2008, a conference that looks back at the local women's liberation movement in Bolton and ask where the feminist movement is now. It will take place as part of International Women's Week.

activ8 have been asked to re-create a piece of street theatre called The Pink Medicine Show' from the 1960's that aimed to highlight women's issues.

activ8 will also attempt to create a new contemporary piece of theatre exploring how women feel about their position in today's world.

activ8 are looking for a small group of creative young women who wish to take part in this project.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Work with activ8's drama workers in a professional theatre
• Learn more about how to create a new piece of theatre from scratch
• Improve or develop new acting skills
• Have the opportunity to perform to local audiences
• Explore issues surrounding 'women's liberation'
• Play a part in this exciting lottery funded conference

The project will begin in January 2008 and is likely to take the form of once weekly, evening rehearsals. To become part of this project, or to find out more, call activ8 on 01204 556501 or email lynsey.merrick@octagonbolton.co.uk

Festive Christmas Slideshow

Some more of the lovely festive production photos by Ian Tilton - this time in Slideshow format! Enjoy.

A Christmas Carol - What's Being Said....

Grisling, grouching, picking, pinching, scrimping, skulking Scrooge (Rob Pickavance) in all his sourpuss glory.

Seems those of you that have seen it are enjoying our production of A Christmas Carol. Here's a few comments from you, our audience:

'The show is really well done and the set is amazing'

'One of the best shows I've ever seen'

'Loved it'

Here's a review by one of the young people who came to see our show. She has even posted it on her school website. Thanks Frances.

And it seems it's not only the audience that is enjoying themselves:

'This is a show which the whole family can enjoy as it is timeless, funny and poignant. The Octagon has done it again: this could be the show to beat this Christmas.' Read the rest of the review here.

What's On Stage

I will add links to other reviews as I find them. Here's one from The Bolton News. One from The Stage here and Manchester Evening News here.

And another review from the Metro. Unfortunately I can't find a link to the online one so take a look at the article below:

It's always difficult to present such a timeless story while finding ways to make it feel fresh and interesting, but the Octagon has pulled it off with style here. ..you'd have to have a heart of stone not to be filled with Christmas spirit by this. The Metro (5 stars)

And here's another review from there Lancashire Evening Post.

If you are finding it hard to get into the festive spirit, then you must come and see the show. If you are anything like me you will leave the theatre with a rosy glow, humming Christmas Carols (despite it still being November) , hankering after Turkey, Christmas trees and even snow!

The cast of A Christmas Carol (with Team Marley)