The dark comedy is inspired by real events in the life of Oldham actor Mark Newsome and is written by Manchester-based writer Phil Pearson.

The one-hour play tells the story of Billy, a gay, autistic, out-of-work actor, who has a drink and drug problem.

After being outed in the fruit and veg aisle of his local ALDI and a life-shattering row with his family, Billy embarks on a lost weekend in Blackpool, where he will literally sink or swim.

Blackpool - What a SH*T Place To Die

Octagon Theatre Bolton

Join us at the Octagon on selected Saturday mornings for FREE family storytelling sessions, sharing stories in creative ways to spark imaginations!

Family Saturdays

It’s 1994 and the tight-knit mining community of Grimley, Yorkshire, are fighting to keep their colliery open. Meanwhile, revered band leader, Danny, battles to keep his dispirited band of brass playing miners together with the dream of qualifying for the National Championships at London’s Albert Hall.

When the uncertainty around the pit becomes too much for the band members, loyalty is tested, pressure mounts and the community begins to break apart. With their whole way of life at stake, can the band find a way to play on?

Based on the smash-hit film, Brassed Off, this production will feature live music from local brass bands, Wingates Brass Band and Eagley Band delivering a soul-stirring theatrical experience.

Brassed Off

In these sessions, participants learn new acting skills, share ideas and connect with new people. Sessions are led by the Octagon’s Community Theatre Director, Lucie Jowett. 

The group runs on Wednesdays, 4.30-5.30pm at the Octagon. Autumn term starts on 25 September and will run for 10 sessions. More information on the sessions can be found by clicking here.

Bridges Youth Theatre - Taster Session

FREE craft sessions for carers to come and have a go at some creative activities (no experience needed!)

Light refreshments will be available at each meeting.

Carers' Coffee Mornings

Be transported to sunny Greece with this beloved northern comedy!

Mina Anwar reprises the title role in Willy Russell’s heart-warming comedy following her acclaimed performance in our 2020 production. This will once again see Mina resetting the play to Lancashire.

Housewife Shirley feels stuck in a rut and frustrated now that the kids have flown the nest. Whilst making egg and chips for her husband, she can’t help but wonder what has happened to her life…

Shirley Valentine

Young people are encouraged to work creatively and collaboratively, with an emphasis on ensemble acting as well as on developing their own particular talents.

If you are aged 14, then you can either join our 11-14 or 14-17 group.

Youth Theatre: 11-14

We encourage actors to challenge themselves to work together and to flourish in a professional theatre environment.

If you are aged 14, then you can either join our 11-14 or 14-17 group.

Youth Theatre: 14-17

Our award-winning Bridges programme enables young people and adults with additional needs and learning disabilities to take part in drama and performance opportunities at the Octagon Theatre.

Bridges Company offers adult participants a chance to work collaboratively to perform for audiences. The sessions provide acting opportunities in an inclusive setting, with the emphasis being on gaining confidence and improving collaborative skills.

Bridges Company - Wednesday

The Octagon is excited to announce a five-week Introduction to Playwriting course for adults.
Work with the Octagon’s Literary team to learn about writing dialogue, how to craft compelling characters and the ins and outs of plotting. Workshops will comprise of group discussions and individual writing exercises. The group will all work towards writing a short play of their own (approx. 8-10 minutes) by the end of the course.

Introduction to Playwriting Course

ArtBeat is our group for over 50s who want to develop their drama skills, explore their creativity and meet new people.

No experience of performing is needed to join - everyone is welcome.

ArtBeat

Bridges Company offers adult participants a chance to work collaboratively to perform for audiences. The sessions provide acting opportunities in an inclusive setting, with the emphasis being on gaining confidence and improving collaborative skills.

This is one of two Bridges Company groups. The second runs on a Wednesday - you can find more information here.

Bridges Company - Thursday

Join them as they blow the dust off the classics to stage a multi-art form political occupation of stories steeped in racism, patriarchy and violence.

Armed with punchy verses, punky attitudes, and whole lotta wit - let's rip out the pages, raise the roof, and rise up!

who the f--k is shakespeare?

Our youngest performers will enjoy sessions that emphasise fun and celebrate the power of imagination!

Youth Theatre at this age is fantastic for developing young people's confidence, as well as helping them to forge new friendships and make great memories. Each term you will work on a wide range of acting and performing activities, as well as taking part in exciting performance opportunities

Youth Theatre: 7-11

Theatre Club is a chance to chat about Octagon productions in a relaxed and informal discussion group.

In our September meeting, we'll be discussing Brassed Off.

If you would like any further information please contact participation@octagonbolton.co.uk

Theatre Club - Brassed Off

Jenny Ryan – better known as the dream-crushing brainbox The Vixen on the hit ITV quiz The Chase – breaks away from teatime telly and invites you to an evening of song, storytelling and even some showbiz secrets.

Join Jenny on a journey through her life and times via some of her favourite tunes, sung live with the powerful voice which blew the judges away on X Factor Celebrity:

Jenny "The Vixen" Ryan: Out of the Box

Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Searching for hazelnuts, Mouse meets the cunning Fox, the eccentric old Owl and the high-spirited Snake. Will the story of the terrifying Gruffalo save Mouse from ending up as dinner for these hungry woodland creatures? After all, there’s no such thing as a Gruffalo – is there?

The Gruffalo

Chances are someone you know has an eating disorder. Nearly 1 million women and girls in the UK have one. Is it really just skinny girls, refusing to eat?

Joy Unspeakable

It is more than 40 years since ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest and they have filled our lives with music ever since.

Now it’s your chance to thank them for the music!

MANIA brings fans old and new, a memorable night not to be missed. If you’re looking for an excuse to party, reminisce or simply be entertained, then MANIA: the ABBA tribute is the show for you!

MANIA: The ABBA Tribute

Whoever said there's too many actors in LA, hasn’t seen the number of DJs in Southall - Anyone with a laptop & a pair of headphones can mix a few tracks and claim to be from the same pind (village) as Diljit Dosanjh.

Pali, an old school lover of the craft, has his heart set on moulding his nephew, Jay, into becoming the heir to his DJ’ing empire (one dance floor tile at a time).

Pali and Jay's Ultimate Asian Wedding DJ Roadshow

Toxic tackles men's mental health, masculinity and friendship. It follows two best friends and the circumstances which have caused them to spiral. Andy’s husband has left him. Best friend James is a man’s man, who uses gags to disguise his vulnerability. As Andy’s mental health spirals, they both must learn to face their demons head on, or destroy their friendships and themselves forever. Time is running out, and their lives are not the only lives at stake.

Toxic

Theatre Club is a chance to chat about Octagon productions in a relaxed and informal discussion group.

In our November meeting, we'll be discussing Stones in his Pockets.

Theatre Club - Stones in his Pockets

This madcap jungle adventure will take you on twists and turns as Mowgli learns the law of the jungle. Can he outwit the ferocious tiger Shere Khan and confront the dangers in his path with the help of his friends?

Funny, exciting, and wildly entertaining this new musical adaptation will be filled with catchy songs that will leave you howling with laughter. The Jungle Book will captivate the whole family and leave you jumping for joy.

The Jungle Book

Dive into a magical adventure, where the kids become heroes and help Rudolph get his magic back.

From the team that brought you last year’s sell out show, Alfie the Elf - expect lots of fun, music, interaction and laughter.

Rudolph the Reindeer's Christmas Roadshow

When the downtrodden animals of Manor Farm overthrow their master and take over, they imagine it is the beginning of a life of freedom and equality for all. However, over time a cunning and brutal elite among them, masterminded by the pigs Napoleon and Snowball, gradually take control. Soon the other animals discover that they are not all as equal as they once thought and find themselves ensnared as one tyranny is replaced with another.

Animal Farm

In our March meeting, we'll be discussing Shirley Valentine.

If you would like any further information please contact participation@octagonbolton.co.uk

Theatre Club - Shirley Valentine

Why not join twenty somethings Sally, Nat and Kyle in this hilarious comedy as they develop a love for, and the people involved with, Northern Soul. What started as a College project has grown into a passion, but the dance steps are exhausting. Far beyond their home city of Hull our trio find excitement, purpose and the tribe they’ve been looking for. Now they can’t get enough; from Brid Spa to Stoke, from Chesterfield to the Tower Ballroom our young soulies are determined to keep the faith!

Do I Love You?

WiFi Wars returns with the live comedy game show where you all play along!
Log in with your smartphone or tablet and compete in a range of games, puzzles and quizzes to win the show, and prizes!

Hosted by comedian Steve McNeil (team captain on UK TV's hit comedy/gaming show "Dara O’Briain’s Go 8 Bit") and aided by Guinness World-Record-Breaking tech whizz, the award-winning Rob Sedgebeer!

WiFi Wars

In Stoke on Trent in the early seventies, a young Gordon Hendricks played to an imaginary crowd. Harmonizing his voice to a constant soundtrack, played on repeat by his sisters. The music was Rock n Roll. The Artist was Elvis.

Little did he know then that his performance in his potteries home would lead to a phenomenal career impersonating The King, working with his legendary musicians in years to come.

The King's Voice

Lennie and George are unlikely best friends, two drifters bound together by a shared faith and the ambition to live the great American dream. Landing a job on a Californian ranch during the Great Depression, their hopes of earning money to eventually buy a place of their own are raised, but will they be fulfilled?

Of Mice and Men

Theatre Club is a chance to chat about Octagon productions in a relaxed and informal discussion group.

In our April meeting, we'll be discussing Of Mice and Men.

Theatre Club: Of Mice and Men

After three sell out tours and a successful West End run of All or Nothing - the Mod Musical, writer Carol Harrison and the show’s multi-talented cast, perform the new, All Or Nothing Experience Concert Show, celebrating the music of the iconic mod band Small Faces.

1965, a new phenomenon erupted on the streets of London; it was the essence of all that was cool... It was MOD.

Small Faces were four charismatic young kids from East London; sharp, funny and streetwise, they encapsulated all that was Mod. Yet their story, as colorful as their music, is poignant and bittersweet. The All Or Nothing Experience charts and celebrates the band’s roller coaster journey through their unique and electrifying sound. Including the hits What’cha Gonna Do About It, Itchycoo Park, Lazy Sunday, Tin Soldier, All or Nothing, and many more.

All or Nothing - The Musical

After three sell out tours and a successful West End run of All or Nothing - the Mod Musical, writer Carol Harrison and the show’s multi-talented cast, perform the new, All Or Nothing Experience Concert Show, celebrating the music of the iconic mod band Small Faces.

Octagon Theatre Bolton

5 - 28 Sep, 2024

Brassed Off

Sep 24, 2024

Youth Theatre: 11-14

Sep 25, 2024

Youth Theatre: 14-17

Sep 25, 2024

Bridges Company - Wednesday

Sep 25, 2024

Introduction to Playwriting Course

17 - 19 Sep, 2024

Blackpool - What a SH*T Place To Die

Sep 5 - Nov 7, 2024

Family Saturdays

Octagon Theatre Bolton