BOLTON Octagon's artistic director Lawrence Till is to lose his job as the crisis-hit theatre battles to stay open.

Last night theatre bosses refused to be drawn on when Mr Till would leave but they confirmed an announcement about his future was imminent.

Other jobs - believed to include technicians and front-of-house staff - have also been thrown into doubt at the town centre theatre on Howell Croft South.

The BEN understands theatre bosses and Mr Till are currently thrashing out the final details of a redundancy package.

Last night Barry Wood, chairman of the Octagon's board, said: "I can't really say anything at the moment. There will be an announcement fairly shortly. "We're in discussions with Lawrence. Going from nine to three productions a year is going to have consequences on the way the theatre operates and how many people will work in it.

"We have not disputed the fact that it's going to have an impact on the people employed at the theatre."

The news comes 11 days after a £250,000 rescue package was approved for the theatre which was facing debts set to reach £500,000 next month.

Bolton Council and the Arts Council are the principal backers, with the balance being met by the North West Arts Board and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities.

But, as part of a tough business plan to pull back the losses, locally-made productions are to be cut to just three, casting a shadow over the role of artistic director.

Touring productions and other arts events such as literary evenings are being pencilled in to fill the theatre.

Yesterday an Octagon spokesman said Mr Till could not be disturbed as he rehearsed with cast members for a forthcoming production, How The Other Half Loves by Alan Ayckbourn.

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