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 BIG Bridges festival project: Disability Arts Festival in Bolton

An explosion of theatre, art and music.

A youth theatre company based at the Octagon Theatre, activ8 Bridges, has organised a festival aiming to help young people with disabilities to discover, develop or celebrate their creative talents. It takes place at Rumworth School in Bolton on Saturday 18 October between 10am and 6pm where various activities will take place.

The day includes; two performances by local disabled youth theatre companies; a gallery showcasing young people’s work along with an interactive visual art workshop; a multi-sensory theatre experience described as a living storybook; an opportunity to meet and ask questions to adult actors with disabilities; chill out room for parent and carers with refreshments; a workshop for young people on how to devise original pieces of theatre and information on how to get work experience.

Special guests include; the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Warren Smith; the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Edith Conn; the Mayor of Bolton, Councillor Anthony Connell; members of Bolton council, and the Octagon Theatre’s Principal Patron, Sue Hodgkiss, DL.

The event is suitable for young people of all abilities accompanied by families or support workers. If you are interested in attending the event please call activ8 on 01204 556501 to book your place.

I am sad to say the rumours are true and Mark Babych, our Artistic Director, will be leaving in the summer next year.

Mark joined the theatre as resident director in 1999; the first production that he directed was Perfect Pitch, which was nominated for Best Production MEN Awards in 2000. He has since then been nominated for and won several Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards, including And Did Those Feet (Best Production MEN 2007); Blonde Bombshells of 1943 (Best Production MEN 2006); Blue / Orange (Nominated for Best Production MEN 2006); Four Nights in Knaresborough (Nominated for Best Production MEN 2004), and Anna Karenina (Nominated for Best Production MEN 2000).

Mark says:

“After 10 years with the company, I will be stepping down as artistic director at the end of June 2009.This has been a very rewarding time for me but I now feel that the time is right for me to move on, and for the Octagon to take another exciting step in its remarkable journey.

I feel very proud and privileged to have been the artistic director here. It has taught me so much and I am glad to have been able to contribute to the success of the theatre over this time.”

John Blackmore, our Executive Director says

“Mark has been with the Theatre for 10 years and has directed a wide range of high quality, distinguished and award-winning productions. We bid him a fond farewell. We are now embarking on a search for a new artistic director with talent, passion and flair to take us forward from September 2009 to new heights and achievements.”

If you fancy submitting an application here are the details. For an informal discussion and to arrange a possible visit please telephone John Blackmore, Executive Director, on 01204 556509.

For full details and an application form telephone 01204 529407 or email info@octagonbolton.co.uk

The Merchant of Venice - more reviews

Here's another couple of pieces on Merchant of Venice. An interview with the marvellous David Fielder. Not only a great Shylock but also a very lovely man. Click to enlarge the image....

And here's another review.....

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?

Shameless 'nominate us for an art08 award' plug!

Arts council England, North West is running the art08 awards to celebrate the creativity and innovation of arts in the North West and you could help us win £10,000 for the work that we do.

The categories for nominations are:

Individual Artist Award 2008 - to celebrate and recognise the achievements of an individual regional artist

Inside, Outside and Online – celebrating where great art has found its way into people’s lives in new and exciting ways

Putting the North West on the Map - recognising where an individual or organisation has made a significant impact in helping raise the region’s profile and creative reputation

Creative Sparks! - celebrating an arts partnership with business that has captured the hearts and minds of those involved

Unsung Heroes – recognising those ‘back room’ players who have been critical to bringing success to an arts project. The overall winner will walk away with the £10,000 prize for The Arts Council outstanding Achievement Award.

Deadline for nominations: 5pm 26 September 2008. You can download the nomination forms from the website www.artscouncil.org.uk/art08

Help us win. Nominate us today!

The Merchant of Venice - MEN review

Apologies I have to post this separately but it is some weird glitch in the blog software that if you post more than one image you can't enlarge them! So here is the MEN review. Click on it to enlarge!