wonderba acting, set and costumes. Hardly an empty seat in the theatre. How lucky are we to have such quality in bolton.
Laughed all the way thro.Well done to you all and the director.

Good night at the Octagon Theatre friendly staff lovely place to visit good café and restaurant We both enjoyed our night watching Hobson's Choice acted perfectly by the actors not to expensive and good seating easy free parking ant the octagon multi car park not to far to walk theatre can get a bit warm so don't put thick clothes on

I go to nearly everything this wonderful theatre produces. It is currently led by Olivier award-winning Artistic Director David Thacker, whose experience includes directing at the RSC, the National Theatre, the Young Vic and several other leading theatre companies. There is Shakespeare, the classics, comedies, farces, new writing, children's shows: something for everyone whether they are new to theatre or lifelong fans. Many Octagon productions and the actors in them have won awards. What I love is that every show is staged with enthusiasm and a genuine desire to engage the audience. There are special events for children and teenagers too, as the passion for audiences of the future is important to this forward-looking theatre. If you've never been, go! You won't be disappointed.

We had a bad experience when we had a pre theatre meal several months ago. As a result we received the offer of a free meal which we took up on the 15th Feb 2014. The menu was small but the choices much better than when we last visited. When I booked I was reminded that it was important to arrive on time which we did. The restaurant was fully booked but we got our starters very promptly, they were hot and delicious. Our main course was slightly delayed - we both had pizza, my pizza came 5 mins before my husbands and it was cold when his arrived. No explanation was offered why our food didn't come out at the same time. I had to ask for the table to be cleared after the main course and my desert failed to arrive. I wasn't the only diner to complain that their sweet didn't arrive. I had to ask for it to be served at the interval in truth I don't think the waitress had realised it hadn't been served. It was too late to eat it as the curtain was due to go up. A lot of the issues we had last time had been ironed out and a new fully fledged member of staff had arrived in the shape of the EPOS till. However this seemed to be at the expense of a waiter. Credit were it is due the two remaining front of house staff worked really hard, they didn't have time to speak to diners or ask if everything was ok the service was so busy. They took restaurant orders and payment, ran between the restaurant and the kitchen,served food and drinks and cleared tables. Later during service they were also serving coffees, drinks and cakes to people arriving for the show and taking orders and payment drinks for the interval. So close to being 100% better let down by not employing an extra person front of house who could have helped when service was busy and then concentrated on serving drinks and taking drinks orders leaving the other staff to concentrate on looking after diners.

friendly staff, warm cafe, lovely place to pop in and meet your friends for a quite chat. we visit quite often :)

Decided to treat my Mum to a spot of food here while shopping in Bolton. Mum opted for toast, while I chose a toasted tea cake. Good value for money, came hot with butter on the side. To drink, we both had lattes. I asked for a skinny latte, which was not a problem and was a nice drink. We both enjoyed it that we agreed it should be a weekly treat. Been again and Mum had a scone, which she said was delicious. There is enough choice on the menu to suit all. Give it a go

An excellent theatre in the round, we had a trip to the Octagon to see Hobson's Choice. The staff were really great, polite, helpful and there to ensure we had a good day.
Our group had booked a lunch, we were treat to soup, sandwiches and a hot drink. The catering staff were very efficient, focused on meeting our needs. Margaret and Tom were on the catering counter and were both very personable, clearly well trained in customer service.
The play itself was first class very well acted and presented, the leads, Maggie, Will and Mr. Hobson were outstanding. The story is very funny showing Maggie change her husband from his timid start to become master of the house.
We had an short presentation from the Stage Manager and an Electrician at the start of our visit and this gave us an insight into the problems of set changes they had to meet on a daily basis.
I can strongly recommend the Octagon and our group are already making plans to see another play at this really great theatre.

Very intimate little theatre but wonderful to feel so close to the players. Have been going for many years. They have such a good variety of entertainment there is always something for everyone.

Just returned from my first ever visit to The Octagon, and hopefully not my last.

The show was a fantastic adaptation of a classic story. The cast were superb and interaction with the audience made the event even more pleasant, especially as the compact size of the theatre means all seats have an uninterrupted view of the action.

Parking was easy and free in the NCP next door and the ice cream (whilst not cheap) locally sourced and delicious.

Highly recommended.

The Octagon provides a variety of plays throughout the season which would interest all. It is centrally located in Bolton, close to the rail and bus stations and several car parks. The public areas of the theatre have been remodelled over the summer; the foyer, restaurant and bar areas are both modern and welcoming. David Thacker's excellent reputation as a director encourages many respected actors to wish to be part of his productions.

Have never yet been disappointed at the Octagon. It is a really nice little theatre, where every seat has a good uninterrupted view. Due to it's relatively small size it is a very intimate venue, & the audience feels totally engaged in the play. You can have a great meal beforehand in the restaurant, & see the cast afterwards enjoying a drink in the newly refurbished bar.

The Octagon is well located in the centre on Bolton and parking is very easy and close by.
The bar upstairs is well stocked and the staff/crew are always helpful and cheerful. The seats are comfortable and the view, pretty much all round is excellent (obviously you pay a bit more for the best seats)
The standard of plays of and performances is obviously a personal thing, so it's unfair to say what I thought of the performances I have seen at the Octagon. But you can guess they're all a very good standard!

The Octagon theatre has a fantastic selection of plays to suit all types of tastes in drama. Over many years we have seen many serious, comic, traditional, and modern plays. The Octagon theatre company is in my mind as good if not better than many big city theatres.

This theatre consistently produces work that moves you to the point where you want to go out and do something you would never normally do! It has always been a good theatre but since David Thacker took over as Artistic Director, the place has seemed to become a lot more ALIVE! The Octagon Theatre is exceptionally welcoming and I have rarely left at the end of the night feeling as though I wasn't high on the buzz of the theatre. Only niggle for me is they don't tend to have as many ex-tv stars cast in their plays these days which may be due to funding cuts but is noticeable. Think it would be awesome if they let the public air their views on the types of plays they'd like to see performed. I've never heard of any other theatre doing that either though so doubt it will ever happen but definitely something I would write in a suggestion box if they had one!

We have been many times to the Octagon over the last 40 years still very enjoyable very intimate and a good choice of work by some well known playwrights .The bar and small restaurant does not live up to the theatres great plays.

Great intimate theatre where you are always feel part of the action. Good choice of plays and visiting theatre companies. Good facilities within the theatre. Recommend the pre-show meal for a very relaxed evening. Great parking next door to the theatre.

Have seen a few shows here. Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan. Unusual setting makes you feel part of the theatre and show

A very special theatre, whatever the occasion. I have been many times and always been impressed. It is an intimate theatre but everything it does is of a very high standard.

Located right in the center of the town. Has a good variety of events over a 12 month period, with work by well known playwrights, and a pan to, or Christmas production for the children. There is also cafe and bar fro refreshments, but don't expect too much from the choice of menu, and do pre order your interval drinks, as you have queue to get served.

Having seen several productions here I can say that over the last few years the Theatre has grown and the shows keep getting better and better. A well structured theatre in the heart of Bolton close to other bars and restaurants if you want to eat before or after.

There is a bar within the theatre with reasonably priced drinks and a cafe but I have never eaten there.

It has just undergone a refit, so I have not yet seen the new stage etc. but have often seen plays here, it is intimate and has a lovely feeling inside, many top actors have been to here, The café and upstairs bar are cosy and relaxing.

first time I have visited since a recent refurbishment,much improved public areas very nice modern bar most importantly plenty of staff on hand,this is a very cosy little theatre with some great productions well worth a visit, and you dont have to buy the expensive seats as views very good from any seat and you are never far from the stage, only suggestion would be to avoid any night when there are coaches of school children visiting we had 2 and they were fine in the auditorium but in the interval a nightmare

Myself and a few work mates had lunch here today.
Although the food was very tasty,hot and the service was excellent the price was too high.
We all had the potatoe hash.
It came in a bowl with a slice of bread and butter. The bowl was half full ( or empty ) and it was £6.
Had this not been a pay day treat for us girls then we would have been more vocal when asked what we thought.
I will think twice before returning for food.
The cappuccino however was a good price, tasty,hot and plenty of it.

He went to watch "An Inspector Calls". He said that the restaurant part was very nice and offered a wide selection of food and drink, the auditorium was well layed out and visibility was good, the seats were a little bit too close together. He would recommend this location as a good place to visit and watch a play or get a bite to eat

Saw "An Inspector Calls". Although familiar with the play this was a wonderfully entertaining presentation. The actors and the set were perfect.Bolton's theatre gets better and better thanks to Mr Thacker. The diction, the clothes and best were the actors faces ....I could def. see this again.
We didnt have time to eat this time but certainly will in the future as the newly furbished cafe ? restaurant now serves veggie AND vegan meals. congratulations we are so pleased.