Category Bolton Octagon

Theatre Review: QUALITY STREET – Bolton Octagon, Bolton

Driven by its clever direction, innovative use of puppetry and engaging cast, J. M. Barrie’s colourfully wrapped QUALITY STREET leaves a sweet taste in the mouth.

3 out of 5 stars

J. M. Barrie’s colourfully wrapped, sweet treat heads to Bolton Octagon as Northern Broadsides continue their tour of QUALITY STREET. The ill-fated production was into a 14-week tour in 2020 but was cut short due to a much-discussed global pandemic.

The play centres around the love affair between our protagonist, Phoebe ‘of the r...

Read More

Theatre Review: THE BOOK THIEF – The Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Niamh Palmer and the Ensemble of THE BOOK THIEF.

Niamh Palmer and the Ensemble of THE BOOK THIEF. Photo Credit: Pamela Raith

Full of heart, passion, and optimism, THE BOOK THIEF is a musical production that needs to be seen.

5 out of 5 stars

Having started as a novel published in 2005, then adapted to a feature film in 2013, THE BOOK THIEF now takes to the stage as a musical, beginning its journey on Bolton Octagon’s stage.

Set in Nazi Germany during the Second World War, THE BOOK THIEF follows young Liesel, who finds solace within words and books, words th...

Read More

Theatre Review: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST – Albert Halls, Bolton

Bolton’s Albert Hall’s grand Victorian setting brings to life Oscar Wilde’s sensational and lavish comedy THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

3 out of 5 stars

Oscar Wilde’s farcical masterpiece THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST is brought to life in the beautiful Albert Halls whilst the Bolton Octagon undergoes renovation in preparation for its 50th anniversary.

The stunning architecture provides an apt atmosphere for the play, given its high-class tone and protagonists...

Read More

Theatre Review: SUMMER HOLIDAY – Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Michael Peavoy as Don in SUMMER HOLIDAY.

Michael Peavoy as Don in SUMMER HOLIDAY. Photo Credit: Richard Lakos

Bright, bold and slightly bonkers, SUMMER HOLIDAY is a feel-good musical that is ambitiously staged

Rides on double-decker buses, live music and audience sing-a-longs, theatre doesn’t come much more immersive than Bolton Octagon’s latest production of SUMMER HOLIDAY.

Developed as a site-specific production to allow important redevelopment work to start Octagon Theatre, this joyous, uplifting and feel-good piece of theatre ...

Read More

INTERVIEW: Eleanor Brown Talks SUMMER HOLIDAY

Eleanor Brown in rehearsals for SUMMER HOLIDAY

Eleanor Brown in rehearsals for SUMMER HOLIDAY. Photo Credit: Ray Jefferson, Bolton Camera Club

Eleanor Brown talks to Frankly My Dear UK about taking on the iconic role of Barbara in Bolton Octagon’s innovative site-specific production of 1960s musical SUMMER HOLIDAY

As Bolton’s Octagon Theatre closes its doors for important redevelopment work, the theatre continues their 50th Anniversary season with an exciting new site-specific staging of the much-loved 1960s musical film SUMMER HOLIDAY.

Ba...

Read More

Theatre Review: ALL I SEE IS YOU – Octagon Theatre, Bolton

ALL I SEE IS YOU at Bolton Octagon Theatre

Kathrine Smith crafts a powerful, moving and tender story of forbidden love in ALL I SEE IS YOU

2018 marks Bolton’s Octagon Theatre’s 50th anniversary year. It also marks the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality. So when Kathrine Smith’s powerful drama about a gay couple in the 1960s crossed the desk of the Octagon National Prize judges, it’s easy to see why they picked it as a winner.

Inspired by real accounts of queer life from fifty years ago, ALL I SEE I...

Read More

Ben Occhipinti breathes new life into Ayub Khan Din’s award-winning comedy EAST IS EAST at Bolton Octagon

Kulvinder Ghir as GEORGE KHAN in EAST IS EAST at Bolton Octagon

Kulvinder Ghir as GEORGE KHAN in EAST IS EAST at Bolton Octagon. Photo Credit: Richard Davenport

Ayub Khan Din’s award-winning comedy EAST IS EAST feels as fresh and as funny as ever

EAST IS EAST may be more than twenty years old but Ayub Khan Din’s award-winning comedy feels as fresh and as funny as ever in a hilarious new production at Bolton’s Octagon Theatre.

Set in 1970s Salford, EAST IS EAST tells the story of the Khan family...

Read More