Thursday 22 May 2014

OCTAGON THEATRE NEW SEASON LAUNCH 2014-2015

If I were a proper journalist, I would do some research. I'd look at the size of Bolton, the dimensions of the theatre and put this press release in context.

But I am not. I am lazy and have to do some sound editing in a bit. So: ready, set, go! Churnalism ahoy!


The Octagon Theatre is pleased to announce its 2014 - 2015 season of plays. David Thacker will be celebrating his sixth year as Artistic Director with a season of eight home-produced productions, including classics, northern drama, an American play and two world premieres. 

Good statistics - two new plays out of eight and a mixture of scripts. I guess Thacker is going for diversity, giving a taste of what scripted theatre can be all about..


David said: “We take pride in announcing our entire season for a whole year and next season will include a wide range of high quality plays that we truly believe in. We work hard to ensure our audiences have a rich selection of home-produced theatre that will take them on a journey.”

Enough of that: let's get down to statistics.

Thu 4 September – Sat 4 October 2014 
Journey’s End by RC Sherriff 
Director: David Thacker
One of the greatest war plays ever written, Journey’s End will commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. This profoundly moving play is based on RC Sherriff’s own wartime experiences and is written with the compassion and authenticity of a soldier who was intimately acquainted with life in the trenches, and the extraordinary courage of those who fought there. 

Thu 9 October – Sat 1 November 2014
Early One Morning by Les Smith
Director: David Thacker
Continuing with the Octagon’s commemoration of the anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War, Early One Morning by Bolton playwright  Smith, will return to the Octagon stage, having been first produced by the Theatre in 1998. The play tells the true story of 26-year-old James Smith, a soldier from Bolton, who fought in some of the fiercest battles of the War, and was charged with desertion. 

David Thacker explains: “These two plays will be particularly powerful, and will both have an enormous impact on our audiences. I feel that they will be a fitting tribute to the young soldiers from Bolton and the North West, who fought and lost their lives in the First World War.”

Nice compromise here between Gove's request for a celebration of how brilliant WWI was and a testimony to the fallen.


Fri 14 November 2014 – Sat 10 January 2015
Alice in Wonderland
Director: Elizabeth Newman
At Christmas, Octagon Associate Director Elizabeth Newman will direct the adventurous new adaptation based on the novel by Lewis Carroll. This will be the fifth festive production directed by Elizabeth at the Octagon, and once again she has teamed up with Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, who wrote the Octagon’s 2013 – 2014 adaptation of Robin Hood. 


Thu 15 January – Sat 14 February 2015
A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller
Director: David Thacker
The Octagon will bring in 2015 with one of Arthur Miller’s greatest plays in the centenary year of Miller’s birth (1915). The production will be the third Arthur Miller play directed for the Octagon by David Thacker who had a close working relationship with the playwright. David explains: “A View from the Bridge is very special to me because it had such a huge impact on me when I first started directing. It left me stunned after I saw it for the first time and Arthur Miller rapidly became my favourite playwright after Shakespeare. A View from the Bridge is powerful, gripping witty and profoundly moving.” 


Thu 19 February – Sat 21 March 2015
Hindle Wakes (a co-production with Oldham Coliseum) by Stanley Houghton 
Director: David Thacker 
As one of the first plays to have a working class female central character, it was considered to be hugely controversial when first performed, championing the role of women as they embarked on a new era of independence and freedom.


Thu 26 March – Sat 18 April 2015
Private Lives (a co-production with New Vic Theatre Newcastle-under-Lyme) by Noel Coward
Director: Elizabeth Newman
The play follows the flirtations, frivolities, aggression and anger between sparring newlyweds whose pasts are quickly catching up with them. Private Lives will be directed by Elizabeth Newman, who commented: “This play is hilarious and I am thrilled to be directing such a masterpiece! It still has a lot to say today and I know our audiences will enjoy it.”


Thu 30 April – Sat 23 May 2015
The Ancient Secret of Youth and the Five Tibetans by Jim Cartwright
Director: David Thacker 
A world premiere production by well-known playwright, and Bolton’s own, Jim Cartwright. Three old friends who've known each other for 40 years discover an ancient book that offers up the secret of youth through a series of rituals that if followed, promise to turn back the clock. The friends take the challenge. 
Jim Cartwright is an international award-winning playwright and his work has been amongst the most performed in the Octagon’s history, including Road, Two, and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice


Thu 4 June – Sat 4 July 2015 
Noises Off by Michael Frayn
Director: David Thacker 
The Olivier Award-winning comedy reveals the backstage shenanigans of a theatre company in the throes of ‘putting on a show.' Noises Off is a riotous comedy following the cast and crew as they tour their cheeky farce ‘Nothing On’. Battling against all the odds they're desperately trying to make sure that, whatever happens, the show must go on! Having played in both the West End and on Broadway, it was also adapted for the silver screen in the 1992 film version starring Michael Caine.












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