THE artistic director of the Octagon Theatre has thanked everyone who helped get the show back on the road after torrential rain on Saturday afternoon caused a flash flood in the building.

Saturday’s matinee performance of Summer Holiday had to be cut short and the evening performance cancelled.

Staff worked throughout the weekend in a clean-up operation and allow performances to go head as usual this week — with an extra performance being scheduled in.

Electricians and roofers have approved the building as safe to re-open and all scheduled performances of Summer Holiday this week will take place as planned.

Staff and volunteers continued their work today preparing front of house areas and backstage ready for the building to reopen for the evening’s performance.

Café Eight will be serving food as usual tomorrow.

Artistic director Elizabeth Newman said: “All the offers of help and support we have had have been so amazing and uplifting.

“It has been be all hands to the pump over the weekend and we have worked very hard to get the building ready to complete the final week of Summer Holiday.

“Everyone has been really up for the challenge — thank you to everyone for their brilliant work and fantastic spirit, especially to our partners at Transport for Greater Manchester, Bolton Council, ExcluSec and the amazing Vision Bus Company.”

Box office staff will contact those who were in attendance or due to attend one of Saturdays performances and where possible offer tickets to alternative performances or refunds.

An extra performance of Summer Holiday has been scheduled for Wednesday at 2pm to accommodate ticket holders who were unable to attend on Saturday.

Summer Holiday is the last production to be staged at the Octagon Theatre, which will close for a multi-million revamp.

Shows will be staged in locations around Bolton while the transformation work takes place.