I am writing in response to your article: Crisis at the Octagon.

I love the theatre and would happily go to each production. However, over the years, I have been disappointed by the quality of the plays chosen.

Surely people go to the Octagon to be entertained, but often come away feeling shocked and uncomfortable with what they have seen.

Having learned from experience, I now "vet" each play. If the words "contains strong language" or "violence" appear, I go to the Bolton Little Theatre instead. Excessive bad language in plays is not necessary if the play is well written.

The future of the Octagon depends on bums on seats. Lawrence Till is quoted as saying that the theatre might no longer be able to continue its innovative programming policies. Perhaps this wouldn't be such a bad thing!

Alison Williams

Bradshaw Meadows, Bradshaw

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.