The hollyoaks and the ivy...

I have just had news that stage door and ticket office employee extraordinaire and actress, the very lovely Tara, will be appearing in Hollyoaks soon. You can see her in action on the spoiler promo below (she plays a nurse) or tune in to the box on Monday.



If you can't view the video above you can also see it here. Many congratulations lady. Here's looking at you kid...

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!

Please sir, can we have some more...photos!

Due to popular demand (you know who you are) I have uploaded some more photos of Oliver Twist. We are lucky enough to have two teams of youngsters playing the role of the 'urchins' in the production so it was only fair I uploaded some images of the team not featured previously. So this is their chance to shine...

Who did it first?

I mean't to post about this a while ago and then promptly forgot. I am sure that most of you will be aware that Bolton's own Peter Kay did the single for this year's Children In Need. I am just wondering if he used the image for our upcoming production of A Midsummer Night's Dream as his inspiration for the singles cover artwork. Or perhaps Bolton folk have a thing for Beatles album covers.

A Midsummer Night's Dream...


Children in Need

So who copied who? You decide. I just have to add here we launched our Season Brochure complete with image back in April so, as Peter would say, think on!

The Enemies Within - the reviews...

"The use of the actual language of the miners, their wives and the police — many of whom would admit to buying houses on the back of the strike — by writer Ron Rose works brilliantly and brings out the emotion and true depth of feeling that still resonates in the affected communities. People lost jobs, respect, dignity, families and lives, and the enormous significance comes across in emotive speeches magnificently delivered." THE BOLTON NEWS Read more here...

"Thacker and his cast are obviously utterly, passionately, devoted to the piece and the performances are all absolutely exceptional. It’s a truly brilliant ensemble that quite rightly got a standing ovation. *****" MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS Read more here...

"A quarter-century on, current affairs may have become modern history, but the issues remain, and the characters leap up alive as ever...the whole group play with utter conviction..It’s essential history, and riveting theatre...it carries with rhetorical force the underlying point of protest." REVIEWSGATE. Read more here...

The Enemies Within - production photos

As promised here are a few photos from The Enemies Within. I have been hearing nothing but excellent things about the show from audiences and colleagues. I can't comment personally as I am yet to see it but I am hoping to later in the week. I am ashamed to admit I don;t see nearly enough of our studio work so I am hoping this kicks me into more direct action.

Since reading about this show, it has tuned me in to industrial relations. Namely, the situation with Royal Mail and their hardworking posties (in this techno capable day and age we have forgotten the valuable and often essential service these people offered in times gone by and still today) and the action by British Airways cabin crew that could scupper many a festive holiday plan. So, although it is 25 years since the Great Miner's Strike, it is extremely relevant right now.

Anyway, here are the photos...

MEN awards - photos

A few photos of Octagon folk at the MEN awards have been published on their website. Here are a few...

The very beautiful Kosha Engler (Oleanna and nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role) and our own and equally glamorous Parvati Pindoria (nominee and dare I say it winner of Best Smile). Kosha won the Octagon Theatre award for the Best Shoes of the night. It was a very discerning panel and the decision was unanimous!

Winner of Biza award, Vanessa Kirby, and her boyfriend Christian Cook aka The Beautifuls. Oh and then there was this...the dapper John Blackmore and..er...Morticia Adams less good looking relation!

If that hasn't scared you off you can see more photos and also read the Twitter stream from the awards here.