AUDIENCES at The Octagon, Bolton, have rocketed in the last two seasons, increasing by a massive 20 per cent.

The figures show the dramatic upturn in fortunes of the town's main professional theatre since it faced closure in 1999.

Last season alone, the audience figures grew by seven per cent and theatre bosses are hopeful that the current autumn/winter crop of plays will continue the upturn in fortunes.

John Blackmore, chief executive at The Octagon, was speaking as next season's varied programme of events was exclusively revealed to the Bolton Evening News.

He said: "We did have to cut back after our troubles, so initially had to build up a full programme, which naturally began to attract more audiences. Last year we built on that. We were ambitious, and showed confidence and a scope of programming which paid off.

"Instead of being on the rack we now have more ambitious programmes, plays on a bigger scale, joint productions with other reputable professional companies, larger casts and this season even a live band on stage.

"Suddenly, people say we are now competing as a top national theatre in our own right."

Plans to increase audiences and the appeal of the theatre to Bolton's wider community will include integrating the Activ8 programme into the main operation of The Octagon from January.

Activ8 works within the community including young and old into plays which are then showcased to audiences.

Speaking about the new programme, Mr Blackmore said: "It is all about providing quality and a range of service that will reach as many people as possible. This is not only in terms of quality of performance, but in terms of the activities we offer to help people develop within the theatre and grow in confidence."