IT is interesting to note that both correspondents writing recently about the Octagon (Sheila Parker and David Jones) are agreed about the outstanding quality of the current production, ‘Journey’s End’.

Ms Parker was astonished by the standard on her first visit to the Octagon, whereas Mr Jones, who has been a regular for the last five years, knows that this flawless production is typical of the exceptional standards since David Thacker became artistic director in 2009.

Perhaps it is true that many Bolton residents have not been to the Octagon in the last five years and certainly few will have given themselves the privilege of attending an event such as last Saturday’s Investigate Day on ‘Journey’s End’. There is an investigate day, open to everyone, for every Octagon play.

The audience finds out how the play was brought to life — and there are no plot spoilers! It is always different, fun, illuminating, surprising and informative. In the afternoon you get a good seat for the matinee, followed by a Q&A session with the cast and the director.

The 'Journey's End' Day included an account of the work of the assistant director, a young woman, blind since birth, whose insight outstripped that of most people with sight.

David Thacker could work anywhere in the world. He has been a director at the Young Vic, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, The Dukes Playhouse, Lancaster, has directed over 150 productions throughout the UK, won two Olivier awards, directed 30 TV productions as well as the 25 or so plays for the Octagon. He is a man of the people and a genius. The big worry is: Can we keep him in Bolton?

Do the people of Bolton “deserve the Octagon”? Of course they do, just as they deserve a properly funded National Health Service, a decent education system for their children and proper care in their old age. But with the mounting pressures that the Octagon faces from 'austerity', it needs the support of those who want to see it flourish. The damage caused to Bolton's cultural life, economy, reputation and civic pride would be incalculable were the Octagon to stop being able to present such a wide range of high-quality productions.

There’s only one way to ensure that it does: for committed theatre-goers from the North West to attend more frequently, and for Bolton residents who never or rarely go to the theatre to give it a try. They might be astonished at what theatre, at its very best, can offer.

Annie Eagleton Stalybridge, Cheshire