THEATRE buffs waiting for the curtain to once again be raised can enjoy all the drama of backstage.

The Octagon Theatre is launching a new podcast series this week featuring Bolton actor Amy Nuttall, who starred in Downton Abbey, acclaimed playwright Jim Cartwright from Farnworth, performer/composer Maimuna Memon and actor Marc Small, who won over audiences with his potrayal of Scrooge in the theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol in 2017.

Octagon Theatre Podcast is designed to give audiences a chance to go behind the scenes and keep listeners up to date with the theatre’s activities and celebrate what is going on in Bolton.

In the four part mini-series, artistic director Lotte Wakeham and Alex Joynes, creative engagement coordinator at the theatre, will interview the four guests, who all have a link to the Octagon.

And they will answer questions from listeners, share advice about careers in theatre and recommendation on what to read, watch and listen to this summer.

Lotte said: “It has been a real joy to record these podcasts with my wonderful co-host Alex.

“It is such a challenging time for theatres right now and it has been really rewarding to have these inspiring conversations with our brilliant guests, who all have fascinating stories to tell, as well as excellent advice for people who are interested in careers in theatre.

“ I hope our audiences have a great time listening to this mini-series and enjoy finding out more about the Octagon whilst our doors remain closed due to Covid-19.”

The theatre, which is a registered charity has announced the delay to the reopening of their building after two years of construction due the Covid-19 pandemic.

The new look theatre should have opened this month following a multi-million transformation to make it world class.

Work on the £12 million project started in 2018, with the majority of the funding coming from the Arts Council England, leaving the theatre to raise £1.5 million.

The transformation has improved accessibility, visitor experience, update backstage facilities, and enabling a wider reach of the theatre’s community work.

But now coronavirus has led to one of the organisation’s biggest challenges in its history and the Octagon has recently launched a fundraising appeal to support the theatre through this difficult time.

To donate visit crowdfunder.co.uk/octagon-future-fund.

All donations are being matched by The Oglesby Trust.

The podcast will be released weekly with episode one available from Friday, July 31.

Visit octagonbolton.co.uk/podcast for more information and to watch the podcast.