Octagon Theatre, Bolton
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The Octagon Theatre is a producing theatre located in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England.
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[edit] Programme
The Octagon produces an average of seven professional theatre productions a year. These are collected into two seasons, running approximately January to July and September to December. Productions come from a wide range of types and genres, including classic drama, contemporary plays, comedies and musicals.
In addition to its own productions, the Octagon also plays host to touring shows, including touring theatre, children's' plays and stand-up comedy.
[edit] Performance spaces
The Octagon has two performance spaces:
- The main auditorium, a 'theatre in the round' in which the audience surrounds the performance area. This space can be set up in four different configurations (in-the-round, thrust, open-end and promenade) and has a capacity ranging from 334 to 420. The main auditorium has an octagonal shape, and it is from this that the Octagon Theatre derives its name.
- The Bill Naughton Theatre, a studio theatre with a capacity ranging from 80 to 100. This smaller space provides a venue for new and adventurous theatre, educational and youth performances.
[edit] History
The Octagon Theatre was opened on 27 November 1967 by Princess Margaret. The first production was Annie and Fanny by local playwright Bill Naughton.
The building was designed by Geoffrey H. Brooks, Bolton's Director of Architecture, and was constructed for the sum of £95,000 using money raised by public donation. It was the first professional theatre to be built in North West England following World War II.
In 1987 the building was extended to add a studio theatre, originally called the Octopus Studio. In 1994 this space was enlarged and re-named The Bill Naughton Theatre, in honour of Naughton.
In the late eighties Farnworth born playwright Jim Cartwright was the Octagon's writer in residence. His plays Two and Bed were premiered at the theatre.
In 1998 the Octagon was refurbished using funds from an Arts Council Lottery award. This improved the theatre's seating systems and disability access, and allowed the construction of a new room for business hospitality, and a more spacious bar.
In 1999 a financial crisis threatened to force the Octagon to cease producing its own plays and become a "receiving house" for touring shows. Local people founded the Support Campaign for the Octagon Theatre, and under the slogan "Keep theatre made in Bolton" collected 12,000 signatures and organised several support events, including a protest march through the town centre and two benefit concerts. Financial commitments were obtained from funders and business sponsors, and the Octagon's status as a producing theatre was secured.
[edit] Notable people associated with the Octagon Theatre
- Comedian Peter Kay, best known for the Channel 4 comedy series Phoenix Nights, worked in the theatre's ticket office.
- Actor Dominic Monaghan, who starred in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, appeared in two productions at the theatre: Annie and Fanny from Bolton to Rome and The Resurrectionists.
