A WORLD renowned actor has offered his support in the battle to save Bolton's Octagon Theatre. Sir Ian McKellen says the theatre's closure would be a massive loss to the town where he grew up and was schooled. His comments were made after the BEN revealed the scene is set for the theatre's final act if a cash rescue bid, currently being prepared, was to fail.

The Octagon is facing a budget deficit which could hit £500,000 by March, partly due to a freeze on arts subsidies and falling audience numbers.

Now a £250,000 financial aid package is being put together which could provide a lifeline.

It is hoped the cash would be put up by Bolton Council, the Arts Council, the North West Arts Board and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities.

But before any money is injected into the ailing theatre, each of the funders would have to agree a business plan being prepared by the Octagon's board.

Yesterday Sir Ian, a former Bolton School pupil, who spent his childhood years in the area, spoke to the BEN about his worries for the town's theatre.

Alarmed

Sir Ian, who is due to appear at the West Yorkshire Playhouse as Prospero in Shakespeare's The Tempest, said: "I am alarmed by the current problems at the Octagon Theatre. Of course its closure would be a great loss to theatre-goers in the North-west. Being typical of the problems facing many other regional theatres, the Octagon's plight concerns all of us involved with British theatre as a whole."

As reported in last night's BEN, theatre bosses are confident their business plan will be accepted and the emergency cash will be handed over. It is expected a final decision on the rescue plan will be made in about two weeks.

But Bolton entrepeneur Sir Ernest Hall believes the cash crisis could be the spur which will take the theatre on to even greater things. He said: "I have absolutely no doubt that the Octagon will find a way through this. I strongly believe that the only way out of this situation is to galvanise public support. The Bolton Evening News is a key to that because you are the local paper."

And Sir Ernest, who is one of the country's top businessmen, as well as being an accomplished pianist, believes a boost to the town's arts collection could help bring in more audiences to the Octagon.

He added: "The Moran picture may be a symbolic success for Bolton. I have absolutely no doubt that more people coming to see the picture would result in more people coming to see the Octagon's productions."

Susannah York telephoned last night, shortly before taking to the stage at London's Lyric Theatre, where she is currently appearing in The Ideal Husband.

Ms York, who starred at the Octagon in A Streetcar Named Desire in 1989, said: "It would be incredibly sad if it were to close.

"I loved my time in Bolton, it was a dream part to play and the whole experience was marvellous. You felt the audiences were so warm, reactive and alive. Theatre is such an important quality of our lives. Nothing can replace live theatre so it would be tragic if the Octagon were to close."

Pop star Tim Booth - the front man for group James, who starred in the controversial play Saved last year - has added his support to the chorus of support.

He said: "I was amazed by the atmosphere at the theatre. People were so helpful and supportive and it is an amazing example of how a small theatre can work together."

He also praised artistic director Lawrence Till, adding: "He creates a beautiful atmosphere which is non-judgemental and really calming."

Other actors and actresses who have trodden the theatre's boards have also sent messages of support to theatre staff, some of whom could face redundancy, although no job losses have been lost yet. Dean Sullivan, who plays Jimmy Corkhill in Channel Four's soap, Brookside, played the lead role in Farnworth playwright Jim Cartwright's award-winning work Road at the Octagon in 1988.

Yesterday he said: "The thought of losing another of our fine North-west theatres due to a lack of funding is almost unthinkable. Over the years The Octagon Theatre has produced some great new writers and directors."

Bolton actor Bernard Wrigley, who started his career at the Octagon, before later taking the role of Barry Clegg on ITV's Emmerdale, described the possible closure as a "tragedy".

Mr Wrigley, who lives in Horwich, added: "I like the theatre, especially with all the new refurbishments. It's really been put on the map and it's a pleasant place to work and watch a performance."

Eithne Browne, who has appeared in numerous plays in the Octagon as well as starring in Brookside, was "stunned" to hear of the Octagon's troubles. She said: "Southerners think it's a cultural wasteland up here but places like the Octagon prove them wrong."

And Coronation Street's Sally Whittaker, who stars as Sally Webster, told the BEN of a Christmas night out with her children to see The Wizard of Oz. Sally, who appeared at the theatre in 1992 in a Taste of Honey, said: "I can't believe it faces closure - I thought they were doing so well. The last time I went was at Christmas for the pantomime. I thought it was a fantastic production."

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