The Octagon is a modern building, right in the heart of Bolton town centre. I've been to a couple of plays and musical performance over the years. As my neice works in the costume department. (She really enjoys her job, but is always very busy. As they put on a full calendar of performances.) The seating layout has a small, in the round, intimate feel to it. You get a good view from wherever you're sitting. Be aware that the rows of seats slope down steeply, to the octagonal shaped stage. The front row is right on the edge of the performance space. So be prepared to be included in some performances, if you like to get involved! There's a nice small bar area and cafe, with limited seating.

Staff are extremely helpful and friendly. The intimate 'in the round' theatre creates an engaging platform for some truly excellent performances.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An absolutely wonderful afternoon out – well worth every single penny!
It has been many, many years since my last visit to the Octagon, and I couldn't praise the staff highly enough for how well they looked after me.
I started my visit in the Bistro, where the team was so nice, helpful, and kind. My compliments to the chef and the people in the kitchen because the food was fantastic! I had the soup and a roll which was absolutely gorgeous, followed by the fish goujons on a baguette with sweet potato fries and salad, which was just divine.
As the Bistro started getting a bit noisier with everyone enjoying themselves, an accessibility attendant named Emma kindly took me up in the lift to a lovely, quiet room on the top floor. It was such a thoughtful gesture. While I was there, I had a wonderful chat with a very nice lady who had travelled all the way from Derbyshire to see the show! We got on so well that we are hoping to meet up again soon to see Sunset Boulevard when it comes to the Octagon.
Emma looked after me right the way through the rest of the performance. The show itself, Calendar Girls, was brilliant—incredibly funny, deeply emotional, and performed by a group of very talented actors. I am so glad I went.
The only downside to the whole day was the journey home—due to the traffic, it took me an hour and 10 minutes to get the bus back instead of the usual 16 minutes! However, the experience at the theatre was so wonderful that it was still well worth it. I highly recommend visiting!
Just an extra add-on from me so you're not disappointed: make sure you ring up and book a table for the Bistro ahead of time. I booked mine, but while I was there, I saw other people being turned away because they were completely fully booked!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An absolutely wonderful afternoon out – well worth every single penny!
It has been many, many years since my last visit to the Octagon, and I couldn't praise the staff highly enough for how well they looked after me.
I started my visit in the Bistro, where the team was so nice, helpful, and kind. My compliments to the chef and the people in the kitchen because the food was fantastic! I had the soup and a roll which was absolutely gorgeous, followed by the fish goujons on a baguette with sweet potato fries and salad, which was just divine.
As the Bistro started getting a bit noisier with everyone enjoying themselves, an accessibility attendant named Emma kindly took me up in the lift to a lovely, quiet room on the top floor. It was such a thoughtful gesture. While I was there, I had a wonderful chat with a very nice lady who had travelled all the way from Derbyshire to see the show! We got on so well that we are hoping to meet up again soon to see Sunset Boulevard when it comes to the Octagon.
Emma looked after me right the way through the rest of the performance. The show itself, Calendar Girls, was brilliant—incredibly funny, deeply emotional, and performed by a group of very talented actors. I am so glad I went.
The only downside to the whole day was the journey home—due to the traffic, it took me an hour and 10 minutes to get the bus back instead of the usual 16 minutes! However, the experience at the theatre was so wonderful that it was still well worth it. I highly recommend visiting!
Just an extra add-on from me so you're not disappointed: make sure you ring up and book a table for the Bistro ahead of time. I booked mine, but while I was there, I saw other people being turned away because they were completely fully booked!

Great venue with lovely, enthusiastic and friendly staff
The staging was cleverly designed to work well in the round.
A brilliant performance from all the cast ensured that all present had a wonderful evening

Watched a brilliant production of east is east.
Staff were very helpful

Still a great venue , we're lucky to have it on our doorstep. Enjoyed the East is East this time round.

Wonderful theatre, shows that draw you in and make you feel part of the performance.
Would highly recommend.

Lovely friendly,cosy theatre. Easy parking

Came
To watch east is east last month at the octogan. Superb show and the staff were amazing .. and helpful

Went to watch east is east thank u so much for the staff for allowing me to pray in a quiet area ! Very inclusive

Beautiful venue, great comfortable seats and not too big si everyone has a great view of the stage, reasonable priced drinks and snacks, Friendly polite staff... Thanks for a great evening

Watched East is East. Fantastically done. More emotional than the original. The actors were incredible. Octagon theatre is awesome.

Went to see east is east. It was very good and funny. The cast were fab.

The show was good, but the theatre itself was somewhat chilly. Some friends of ours went a few days later and felt the same.

East Is East

What an absolutely brilliant show! East Is East was an incredible experience from start to finish, and I genuinely enjoyed every minute of it. The acting was fantastic, with an incredibly talented cast who brought so much energy, humour and emotion to the stage. Every character felt believable and memorable, and the chemistry between the cast really made the whole production come alive.

Having seen the film, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the stage show, but I was pleasantly surprised by how it managed to feel familiar while also bringing something completely different to the story. There are definitely some twists and changes compared with the film, which made it feel fresh rather than simply being a recreation of something we’ve already seen. I really enjoyed the different direction the show took and thought it worked brilliantly on stage.

There was a fantastic balance of comedy and more serious, emotional moments. One minute you’re laughing out loud, and the next you’re completely drawn into the characters and the situations they find themselves in. That mixture is what made the show so enjoyable and gave it plenty of depth rather than making it just a straightforward comedy.

The performances were the real highlight for me. The acting was absolutely amazing, and the cast put so much effort and personality into their roles. You could tell there was a huge amount of commitment and talent behind the production, and it made the whole show feel energetic and engaging from beginning to end.

Even if you’ve seen the film, I would definitely recommend giving the show a chance because it has its own identity and brings a different twist to a story many people already know and love. It’s funny, entertaining, heartfelt and, overall, just an epic night out.

Absolutely brilliant from start to finish. I would 100% recommend seeing it! If you get the chance to watch East Is East, go for it. You won’t be disappointed!

Superb afternoon Octagon Theatre Bolton for #AyubKhanDin’s 1990s play #eastiseast - great cast including ex #Emmerdale actor #bhaskerpatel - great acting, good sets. Great #shavian humour. Issue raising, thought provoking & 30+ years on???

How should parents, their children & others love & respect one another? How did/do I?

A fairly small theatre with an excellent bar/restaurant on the ground floor and bars on the other two floors as well. Good access with lifts if needed and very helpful staff.

We went to see East to East tonight. Lovely theatre. Friendly helpful staff The show was excellent. All of the actors were amazing.

A jewel in the crown of Bolton

Very nice cafe, good cappuccino.

High quality local theatre. A real gem for Bolton.

Lovely little theatre, parking right next door at the NCP.
Comfy seating and a great view due to the shape of the octagon shape.
Would reccomend.

Excellent theatre, seats very comfortable. Staff friendly and helpful. Bar well stocked and prices reasonable.

A versatile and well run theatre and always a joy to visit.

Fantastic theatre, artists and volunteers