WHAT'S ON AT THE OCTAGON THEATRE, BOLTON
What's On at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Octagon Theatre Bolton is an award-winning venue in the heart of Bolton that opened in 1967. The Octagon Theatre makes, shares, produces, and welcomes an array of popular theatre shows and experiences from classic plays, musicals, comedy, new work, reimagining’s, and premier events. The capacity in the main theatre is up to 390.
The Octagon Theatre Bolton was the first professional flexible theatre in the UK. It proudly works in partnership with the local community to provide numerous opportunities to get involved. With local business woman and CBE Sue Hodgkiss as a Patron and University Of Bolton as their Principal sponsor, the Octagon Theatre truly embodies all aspects of Bolton.
The Octagon has played a pivotal role in many careers, such as Danny Boyle, Vanessa Kirby, Fiona Shaw, Kwame Kwei-Armah, Es Devlin and Maxine Peake. Productions, shows and events coming up include The Memory Of Water, Macbeth, Waiting For Godot, Teechers and the Christmas production for 2026/27, Cinderella. See what’s on at the Octagon Theatre Bolton below and book tickets online.
Octagon Theatre Bolton is an award-winning venue in the heart of Bolton that opened in 1967. The Octagon Theatre makes, shares, produces, and welcomes an array of popular theatre shows and experiences from classic plays, musicals, comedy, new work, reimagining’s, and premier events. The capacity in the main theatre is up to 390.
The Octagon Theatre Bolton was the first professional flexible theatre in the UK. It proudly works in partnership with the local community to provide numerous opportunities to get involved. With local business woman and CBE Sue Hodgkiss as a Patron and University Of Bolton as their Principal sponsor, the Octagon Theatre truly embodies all aspects of Bolton.
The Octagon has played a pivotal role in many careers, such as Danny Boyle, Vanessa Kirby, Fiona Shaw, Kwame Kwei-Armah, Es Devlin and Maxine Peake. Productions, shows and events coming up include The Memory Of Water, Macbeth, Waiting For Godot, Teechers and the Christmas production for 2026/27, Cinderella. See what’s on at the Octagon Theatre Bolton below and book tickets online.
Most Popular Shows and Events at Octagon Theatre, Bolton
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What's On at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Calendar Girls The Musical
The Theatre
Tuesday 20 - Saturday 31 October 2026
Based on the play Calendar Girls, written by Tim Firth and on the motion picture written by Tim Firth and Juliette Towhidi, Paul Robinson directs Tim Firth and Gary Barlow's musical in a new production. The death of a much loved husband p...Family Saturdays: Ages 3-5
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Saturday 24 October - Saturday 5 December 2026
This is one of two Family Saturdays groups. The second runs at a later time and is for children ages 5 to 7 - you can find more information here....Family Saturdays: Ages 5-7
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Saturday 24 October - Saturday 5 December 2026
This is one of two Family Saturdays groups. The second runs at an earlier time and is for children ages 3 to 5 - you can find more information here....A Totally Unbiased History of the Wanderers
The Theatre
Tuesday 27 October 2026 - Saturday 21 August 2027
Some matches mean more than the score,A football match. A shared loss. A chance to come together. Following the death of a fan, friends and family gather to watch the Wanderers as an act of remembrance. For some, football is where they fe...
The Highwayman
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Tuesday 3 - Saturday 7 November 2026
The Highwayman is waiting, and there is no escape. It's 1769 and Yorkshire's population has exploded, the races at York are packed, the new theatre in Hull is thriving, and the Spa towns are full. Everyone is flocking north, every ale hou...Cinderella: A Fairytale
The Theatre
Friday 20 November 2026 - Saturday 9 January 2027
Cinderella: A Fairytale brings this well-loved classic tale bang up to date with a funny, high-energy show that will be a real crowd pleaser for the whole family. When Ella's father remarries, her world turns upside down. She escapes from ...Sammy the Snowman's Christmas Surprise
The Studio
Wednesday 9 - Thursday 24 December 2026
Sammy the Snowman is bored of the freezing North Pole. He dreams of sunshine, sand, and a holiday in the sun! But when a snowman heads somewhere hot, things might get a little... melty! Will Sammy's big adventure end in disaster, or will C...Ultimate Eagles
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Saturday 16 - Sunday 17 January 2027
Having performed to over 1,000,000 people worldwide, The Ultimate Eagles features a cast of internationally acclaimed musicians who?ve played alongside bands such as Queen, Paul Young, Roger Daltrey, Lulu, Van Morrison, Cliff Richard, John...An Evening with Jeff Stelling
The Theatre
Thursday 21 January 2027
An Evening With The MAN OF FOOTBALL - Jeff Stelling. Live and in person, coming to us for an exclusive night of sports stories, banter, no-holds-barred insights and charity work updates. From the kind of football commentary straight to you...Money For Nothing - Dire Straits Tribute Show
The Theatre
Friday 22 January 2027
Money For Nothing is a tribute to the Dire Straits like no other before. Prepare to be captivated by the authentic sounds of one of the most successful rock bands of all time. A show of the highest quality, meticulous attention is paid t...A Night To Remember Motown Show
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Saturday 23 January 2027
Take a trip back to 1960s Detroit and be prepared for high energy and soulful vocal dynamics from show producer and director, Bizzi Dixon, The Voice UK finalist and West End Tour lead principal, harmoniously backed by the Motown Divas givi...Romeo and Juliet
The Theatre
Thursday 4 - Saturday 27 February 2027
Don't miss this moving and unforgettable production of William Shakespeare's iconic tragedy, revealing the beauty of young love and the devastating cost of endless conflict. Two families at war. Two lovers caught in the crossfire. One stor...This is the Life
The Theatre
Wednesday 3 - Saturday 6 March 2027
In his audacious new comedy, John Godber interrogates hope, ghosts and the power of performance as seen through the eyes of a cynical backstage duo. Dave and Sapphire have worked backstage at the Old Forge for years. They've never felt the...Room on the Broom
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Friday 12 - Sunday 14 March 2027
Iggety ziggety zaggety zoom! Jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories' fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom, the best-selling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The witch and her cat are tra...
Emilio Santoro as Elvis
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Thursday 18 March 2027
 Internationally acclaimed youngster Emilio Santoro brings his award-winning Elvis Presley theatre show to the UK. Emilio has won both European and World Championships as Elvis in the past year, and wowed America's Got Talent viewers wit...Rat Pack Live
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Saturday 20 March 2027
They were the definition of cool during their Fifties and Sixties Vegas heyday - Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr. The trio - collectively known as The Rat Pack, had attitude to spare. Rat Pack Live invites you to be part of...Sunset Boulevard
The Theatre
Friday 2 April - Saturday 1 May 2027
A DREAM THAT REFUSES TO DIEAndrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard comes to the Octagon in a bold new production directed by Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham. Silent film star Norma Desmond longs for the spotlight that once made her a legend...The Rocket Man - A Celebration of Sir Elton John
The Theatre
Thursday 6 May 2027
 Pack your bags, strap yourself in, for a night like no other and celebrate Sir Elton John with Jimmy Love. The Rocket Man is the world's favourite celebration to a musical icon, playing to audiences all around the world. So, catch a sta...A Tribute to The Carpenters
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Saturday 8 May 2027
It's time to get over that rainbow and make the smallest of dreams come true as the Entertainers present A Tribute to the Carpenters, featuring Gordy Marshall's The British Carpenters and starring the fantastic Sally Creedon as Karen Carpe...The Smeds and The Smoos
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Tuesday 11 - Thursday 13 May 2027
Tall Stories presents The Smeds and the Smoos. Soar into space with this exciting adaptation of the award-winning book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. On a far off planet, Smeds and Smoos can't be friends. So when a young Smed and S...The Dr Hook Songbook
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Saturday 15 May 2027
The songs of American country rock band, Dr. Hook, are timeless classics. Who can forget ?Sylvia?s Mother?, ?When You?re in Love With A Beautiful Woman?, ?Sharing the Night Together?, ?Only Sixteen?, ?Sexy Eyes? and ?Cover of the ?Rolling ...Oh Zeus!
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Wednesday 19 - Saturday 22 May 2027
Kings of Comedy Le Navet Bete are back! For lovers of Fawlty Towers, Bottom and The Play That Goes Wrong, Oh Zeus! is a riotous, all-out hilarious ride through Greek mythology. When the stability of Olympus is threatened by the marriage of...Educating Rita
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Thursday 3 June - Saturday 3 July 2027
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO CHANGE YOUR STORY Hairdresser Rita knows there's got to be more to life. Determined to change her future, she enrols on an Open University literature course, where she meets Frank, a witty but world-weary lecturer wh...Egging
The Theatre
Wednesday 16 - Saturday 26 June 2027
Marriage is around the corner. So are the eggs. Tomorrow, Haris is getting married. Today, he's trying not to get egged. With friends hunting him down for one final pre-wedding tradition, Haris races across Bolton getting ready for the bi...The Magic of the Bee Gees - A Tribute to The Bee Gees
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Saturday 7 August 2027
Direct from London's West End. Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother, when the feeling's gone and you can't go on, it's time to put on your dancing shoes, for the night out of the year you have been waiting for to celebrate t...The Forger
The Theatre
Thursday 9 September - Saturday 2 October 2027
What is a masterpiece worth? And who gets to decide?Shaun Greenhalgh is one of the most gifted artists you've probably never heard of. From a garden shed in Bolton, he and his parents created a string of artworks so convincing they fooled ...Thank You For The Music - The Ultimate Tribute to ABBA
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Sunday 19 September 2027
Calling all Dancing Queens, this is your night to say, Thank you for the Music! This international smash-hit tribute show brings all ABBA's number one hits to the stage. The hugely popular show, now in its 20th year, with a brand-new show ...Let The Music Play - Dedicated to the Legend of Barry White
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Sunday 26 September 2027
Direct from the USA, a critically-acclaimed revue featuring the incredible vocalist William Hicks also know as "the big man with the big voice". 100 million records sold, 20 gold and 10 platinum singles - the world loves Barry White and B...How to get to the Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Octagon Theatre Frequently Asked Questions
Howell Croft South, Bolton, BL1 1SB
The nearest car park is the NCP Octagon located on Great Moor Street, BL1 1SN.
The nearest train station to the Octagon Theatre, Bolton is Bolton Station. It is approximately a 7 minute walk. Click here to view.
The capacity of the Octagon Theatre, Bolton is up to 390. Seating plans can be viewed upon booking tickets.
If you have lost your ticket for a show at The Octagon Theatre, please contact the Octagon Theatre directly so their team can assist you.
If you would like to buy a ticket in person from the Octagon Theatre Box Office, they are open Tues - Fri 11am - 5pm and Saturdays 11am - 3.30pm. On performance days, the box office stays open until the performance starts. Alternatively, you can see what's on and book online here.
When we know of a duration of a show, we add it to the description of the show on our event pages. For example, on our Wicked event page, after the description of the show we have added the duration of the show in large capital letters. If the time isn't listed, we do not have the information yet. We update our pages daily so it maybe a case of knowing closer to the performance itself, so keep checking.
Please click here for further information on Access at the Octagon Theatre, including contact details.
Whether you have positive or negative feedback you would like to feedback to the Octagon Theatre, please click here for ways to get in touch.
If you have lost an item during a visit to the Octagon Theatre, click here for ways to get in touch with the team, who will do their best to assist you.
There are plenty of great places to eat in Bolton, including the Octagon Kitchen & Bar situated in the Octagon venue for pre theatre dining.
Bolton has many bars, and the Octagon theatre has it's own pre theatre bars, so why not make a night of it there. Click here for further information.
Either use the map at the side of the FAQ section as it has all types of accomodation or click here for hotels in Bolton
If you need the Octagon Theatre team for more support, click here for ways to get in touch.
Please note that ManchesterTheatres.com isn't the venue itself. We promote what's on at the Octagon Theatre and all other venues in Manchester and the local region. Feel free to contact us if you need more help though and we'll do our best to support you.
