Octagon Theatre

4.8/5 based on 1045 reviews
Latest Reviews
Been here 6/7 times a year for last 3 years and I have yet to see a show I've not enjoyed. I also regularly go to the Lowry in Salford and the Royal Exchange in Manchester. Each has its own merits but, despite being smaller/having less expansive budgets, the Octagon has never disappointed. This is a theatre in the round but on a smaller, more intimate scale, than the Royal Exchange.

As with most major theatres you can pre-order drinks but, unlike the Lowry or the Royal Exchange, if you don't its still possible to buy a drink on spec in the interval.

Really glad I branched out a bit further.
tripadvisor.co.uk
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I had an enjoyable evening watching the play which was originally based in Bolton. So it was fitting to see the play live in the Octagon. I had a cracking seat near the stage and the cost of the ticket was very reasonable. It’s a small intimate venue in the town centre and is well provisioned by public transport and local parking.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We saw Noises Off earlier in the season and The Family Way last week. Both plays were excellent productions, superbly acted. Dinner in Cafe Eight was really nice. We had potted salmon and toast, blue cheese and pear tart to start and roast lamb as main course with a bottle of house red. The play, set in the sixties, feels as though it is from another age, but was immaculately acted and absolutely everything worked. Highly recommended.
We are so lucky to live in an area that has so many excellent theatres. Besides the Royal Excahnge, we have the the Octagon, Altrincham Garrick Playhouse, Altrincham Little Theatre and many others where the productions we see on a regular basis are so well produced and so well acted that we cant see how they can be bettered even nationally. And the prices are never like in London where a seat for a play can easily cost £60 or more. (However, it would be nice to see more support for local theatres from the local communities.)
We have only two irritations: Cafe Eight have increased their prices for meals significantly this year and the Highways authorities are determined to spoil our evening by cutting off our motrway access to Altrincham after the shows and sending us off on a wild goose chase around the countryside without any appropriate diversion signage or adequate notice.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Just visited the Octagon Theatre for the latest play 'The Family Way' I can honestly say we had a really good night. The Octagan has had a face lift since our last visit and the bar area as been much improved with an additional Kiosk selling chocolate and ice cream being a bonus. The play itself got off to a slow start in my opinion but by the end I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to going again
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have watched plays at this theatre since the late 1970s and have an annual season ticket. It produces a wide variety of challenging plays and other events and the performances are nearly always excellent. It's had a bit of a makeover in recent years so the small cafe and the bar are now much better. My only "complaint" is that the small auditorium can get very stuffy in the summer - it could do with aircon!
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a superb small in area but on ideas town theatre. Holds about 500 people depending on the set. They do a very wide spectrum of plays for all tastes. The prices are reasonable but if you book a season ticket, you will save even more money. The staff are very helpful and friendly and you can either book on line or in person. There are special offers available throughout the season. Don't just read this and ignore it, come on and try, you won't be disappointed.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I am a season ticket holder at the Octogon, and it is just the best value for money .Every production is just brilliant. I love the Exchange Theatre in Manchester, but I have to say that the Octogon always has the edge. It absolutely never disappoints.
The restaurant is also really good, and the staff always helpful and friendly, and seem to love their jobs. Do go if you get a chance , it wont matter what the play is it will be brilliant.
tripadvisor.co.uk
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We've just had lunch at 8 Cafe Bar and we've been very impressed. Clean & tidy,nice service and tasty food. What more could you want in a town centre setting.
Will definitely go again.. Thanks!
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Intimate venue, always a good atmosphere, have great productions on, check out their What's On Guide!
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Enchanting, mesmerising and captivating an evening here will leave you wanting more evenings like this. The productions are slick, the seating superb and the atmosphere electric as you eagerly anticipate the show ahead. Most certainly book tickets for any production here and you will not be disappointed.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a fabulous evening performance of "Noises Off" at this great little theatre. The actors were tireless in their performances which had the audience rolling in their seats.

A very special mention to the stage staff who were even entertaining in shifting the sets around, twice, as part of the performance. It was very interesting too, so see how they do these things which are normally out of sight.

My family are regulars here. The theatre itself is very intimate and one can engage fully with the actors. Highly recommended.

We enjoyed a pre theatre dinner at the Eight bistro type restaurant, all delicious and the wait staff were helpful as well as entertaining too. Well done to all.

We
tripadvisor.co.uk
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It was my first visit to the Octagon for many years, having been persuaded by a group of friends to join them. The production featured several cast members better known for their soap opera characters & guess what, they are better in the flesh. Thoroughly enjoyable night. Maybe my next visit won't be too far in the future.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have visited the Octagon theatre on several occasions over a number of years ,and have never been disappointed. No matter where you sit in the auditorium you have a clear view of the stage. The performances were outstanding both the directing & acting superb. Would definately recommend include a visit to the theatre should you be in the Greater Manchester region.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Frequent visitor to the octagon theatre, I love these nights out. Set out so your right in the action. A must for ant theatre goer, looking forward to my next visit
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Octagon Theatre is a great venue. I have seen some wonderful performances
over the last few years. I am a season ticket holder, and it has been worth every penny.
The last performance we saw was " Noises Off", which was excellent and very funny.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Saw 'Noises Off', brilliantly acted, fast paced, judging by the laughter of the audience, was enjoyed by all. A special mention to the stage crew who executed amazingly choreographed changes of scene
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely cafe, great choice of food and drinks. Friendly service, would definitely recommend for a pre- theatre meal or just a bite to eat whilst out shopping!
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have been to see several plays at the Octagon Theatre over the years but I have to say The Ancient Secret of Youth and the Five Tibetans was the worst of them all. I have never sat through 2 hours of such utter dismal rubbish. It was so bad I was in fits of laughter, best comedy by far!
I will go again but will research a little better first.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
First visit to the Octagon. We were given free tickets so seated in the gods where a safety barrier made it necessary to lean forward to watch the play. Comfortable friendly feeling about the place, and because its small you had close contact with the players. Clever how they change the scenery etc. Toilet facilities just about adequate (only two ladies toilets squashed into a tiny space). Have to say the play, a farce, was dreadful, lots of slamming doors and shouting and running up and down stairs, absolutely awful not to our taste but the tickets were given which we were grateful for. Would definitely go again, and pay, to see a more suitable play.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I recently went to see The Ancient Secret of Youth and the Five Tibetans. I have to say it was a brilliant play. Denise Welch was fantastic.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have visited the Octagon many time over many years and have enjoyed it every time. Although many of the plays may not be to everyone's taste it is still enjoyable.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The small auditorium brings you right into the action on stage. I found the seating comfortable and the facilities are adequate.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had a horrendous journey on the motorway from Altrincham last Friday but the meal at the Restaurant and the Play made up for it completely.The Restaurant was very busy and unfortunately our meal took a long time arriving. We had to have our Cheese and Biscuits during the interval with a glass of left over wine from the meal. We started with Soup and smoked salmon with Venison Goulash and Salmon with new poatoes for the mains. But be warned, by 6.15, they had run out of the chicken choice. House Red was as usual very palatable.
The play was fantastic - older and younger versions performed brilliantly and the book loving shop owner moved us to tears (almost)! The Octagon has had a very good season and we look forward to the next one most expectantly. Congratulations for discovering this play - we have been going to various theatres in the NorthWest for over 40 years now and had never seen this play before. The only disappointment for us was the (few) empty seats - Boltonians should be flocking to see a play as wonderfully acted and produced as this.
Motorway was quiet on the way home and the journey uneventful - in case you want to know!
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Octagon is a great, local theatre with all the expected facilities being up to standard, except for one massively important thing. The air conditioning in the auditorium is abysmal, resulting in a stifling & stuffy atmosphere that necessitates people to be fanning themselves with their programmes, shifting around in seats to attempt to avoid sticking to them, a few people nodding off (I'm sure it wasn't down to the actual performance we watched) and therefore is a big distraction and detraction from the stage performance. Before I think of going there again I'll be phoning to check that the auditorium air con is up to scratch!
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Once again we have been blown over by the quality and professionalism of the actors in their latest production. We have had a Season Ticket for the Octagon for many years and find it a very economical way to see at the plays. The new design and layout of the restaurant and bar area upstairs is excellent and had us reminiscing about how the Octagon Theatre has changed over the years. You can get a well priced pre theatre meal and a range of quality drinks and beverages upstairs in the bar.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
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Family Saturdays at the Octagon Theatre
02/08/2025

Families are invited to join the Octagon on selected Saturday mornings for FREE storytelling sessions, where stories are shared in creative ways to spark imaginations! See event