IN response to Sheila Parker’s letter (So few in the audience – Letters, September 25), I am very pleased that she enjoyed her first visit to the Octagon. ‘Journey’s End’ is a brilliantly performed and directed play. Unfortunately, I can’t agree with her so-called lack of support for the theatre.

I have been a theatre participant and audience member for almost 40 years, including venues in London and several regions. I’ve also seen nearly every play at the theatre since David Thacker took over as artistic director over five years ago.

In most theatres (including many in the West End) audience numbers vary from night to night and from production to production.

Not surprisingly, weekend performances are more likely to be sold out than some during the week. Some plays are also more popular with audiences than others.

The Octagon is at the heart of the Bolton community. Because of its formidable reputation, it also draws in audiences from much further afield. Its most recent annual report states that their 2012/2013 season attracted over 72,000 people, roughly a quarter of whom were first time attenders.

Season ticket sales and regular attenders have increased year on year thanks to their excellent artistic and theatre staff. In the last year or so, on three occasions the Octagon has smashed its own box office records with outstanding productions such as ‘Of Mice and Men’ and ‘Hobson’s Choice’.

Beginning his sixth season David Thacker continues to play a key role in ensuring that the consistently excellent standard of productions is maintained. The continuing support received from organisations such as the Arts Council and both Bolton’s Council and University, as well as its ability to attract sponsorship from a range of businesses and organisations during this difficult time of austerity, is a measure of how popular and successful it has been in reaching its traditional and non traditional audiences.

Our theatre in Bolton is now one of the best regional theatres in the country and this week David Thacker was nominated as Best Director for ‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night’ in the UK Theatre Awards.

I’m glad Sheila Parker appreciates there is life outside the Manchester Royal Exchange. I hope she and others will come to the Octagon as well.

I only hope David Thacker is still there to greet them.

David Jones Bolton