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Founding members visit
Octagon Theatre construction site
Gerry Russell and Dr. Phillip
Butterworth, two of the five students who oversaw the original development in
1967, visited the Octagon Theatre construction site last week.
In 1967, five students alongside their drama lecturer,
Robin Pemberton-Billing, laid plans for a new theatre in Bolton. Taking only
seven months of construction, the theatre was officially opened on 27 November 1967
by Princess Margaret.
Last week, two of the original co-founders, Gerry Russell
and Dr. Phillip Butterworth were joined by Leader of Bolton Council Cllr Linda
Thomas and Chief Executive of the Octagon Theatre Roddy Gauld, to be given a
tour of the site by lead architects from JM Architects David Jennings and Mark
Whittaker, and
Wilmott Dixon site manager Graham Lee.
One of the founders, Dr.
Philip Butterworth commented on the visit “As you might imagine, this was a
nostalgic and inspiring tour conducted by the architects and builders whose
commitment and enthusiasm for the project is obvious.
Most of the building work will take place at the rear of
the auditorium on the site of the old rehearsal studio and achieve a height of
six stories. The decisions to re-allocate the internal spaces have been very
well considered. The auditorium space will not change. After all, this is the
heart of the theatre as it was created as the first fully-professional flexible
theatre in the country in 1967.”
Gerry Russell said “When,
with Philip Butterworth and three other Loughborough College students, together
with Robin Pemberton-Billing, our drama lecturer, and I first came to Bolton in
the 1960’s with the somewhat crazy idea of building and opening a new theatre
in the town, I was staggered by the reception we received. In a whirlwind few
months we went from an idea, met civic leaders, went through planning consent,
fundraising, etc., to a new building, taking just seven months from foundation
stone laying to opening.
That was 50 years ago and I still remember as though it were yesterday
that first night in November 1967 when the Octagon opened its doors for the
first time to a ‘full house’.
After a site visit yesterday, I was left with no doubt that this is an
amazing, exciting project with so much vision, which will take the Octagon
forward - hopefully for another 50 years! I cannot wait to see the final outcome
of this very ambitious scheme and wish all involved every success.”
Roddy Gauld, Chief Executive at the
Octagon Theatre spoke “The Octagon
is a remarkable story of a college lecturer and five students who designed a
revolutionary new theatre. That theatre became the Octagon, and now over
fifty years on, it’s an absolute honour to show Gerry and Phil, two of those
students, around the site. The theatre they imagined was flexible,
innovative and had community at its heart. This redevelopment will continue
those principles including creating more space for our youth and community
work.
I’m really happy that Gerry and Phil are
supporting the changes we’re making, and can’t wait to welcome them to the
re-opening next year.”
Leader of Bolton Council and Greater Manchester Portfolio
Lead for Culture, Cllr Linda Thomas
said: “The Octagon has been a jewel in Bolton’s crown for more than half a
century and it was great to see the founders’ enthusiasm for the plans and
reminisce about the theatre.
“We have supported the Octagon every step of the way from
its conception and it is exciting to see the work being carried out to
transform the theatre for its next chapter.
“It is a crucial part of the town’s culture and heritage
and we can’t wait to see it open its doors to the community once again.”
The new town centre
building is set to reopen in 2020 and the
Octagon still has £600,000 to raise to complete the work.
Find out more
about how you can support the Octagon Reimagined project and ways you can help
fundraise by visiting octagonbolton.co.uk/OctagonReimagined.
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