THE Octagon Theatre celebrated 50 years of entertaining audiences as it threw open its doors for a party.

The popular venue held an open day yesterday to celebrate the half a century performances have taken place there since 1967.

Guests young and old flooded in to enjoy the chance to go behind the scenes and see the dressing rooms, wardrobe, rehearsal room and also learn about the building and its history.

There was plenty for everyone to enjoy including face painting, a photo booth and a memory corner where people could write down and record their own recollections about the theatre.

There was also a chance to see costumes from every decade the theatre has been open, take part in some crafts and enjoy a technical demonstration, seeing how the theatre’s lights worked.

There was also plenty of cake for the visitors to enjoy.

Elizabeth Newman, the theatre’s artistic director, said: “It has been a fantastic day. We have welcomed lots of people from all over Bolton of all different ages to celebrate our 50th.

“I think for us the 50th is about celebrating all the generations and welcoming all the people to share their memories.”

While the theatre is looking to remember the past it is also looking forward and is offering people the chance to play a part in the multi-million pound transformation and modernisation programme for its future.

The public can help it reach its £1.5million target to complete the ‘Octagon Reimagine’ development programme.

People are being invited to buy a brick for the new building or sponsor a seat so that it is fit for the next 50 years.

Among those helping out at the event was Anne Whaite, who along with husband James worked behind the bar at the theatre for 40 years until she retired in 2013.

She said: “We have always been a friendly theatre and it is till a friendly theatre.”