Post by SheWolf on Oct 25, 2007 21:27:51 GMT 1
From This is Lanchashire
Oh what a lovely cast
By Andrew Mosley
AN ALL-star cast has been assembled for the Octagon Theatre's latest production - Oh What A Lovely War.
The 13-strong line-up includes the Octagon's 40th Anniversary patrons Matthew Kelly and John McArdle, as well as Emmerdale's Jeff Hordley, and Matthew Kelly's son, Matthew Rixon.
The play chronicles the horrors of the First World War through song, comedy and dance.
Jeff Hordley, best known for his part as Emmerdale bad boy Cain Dingle, also starred in the recent Octagon production of And Did Those Feet.
He said: "The response has been incredible. The warmth of feeling from the people of Bolton has been great.
"I think at the time when both plays were set, no matter how hard the times were, there was a real feeling of just getting on with it.
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"There's that sense in both plays of carrying on regardless. Football cup fever continues, despite the depression and the war, and people felt a connection with the footballers. They were local celebrities but they walked round like normal guys," he said.
"The sales for both productions have gone really well. There was a real word of mouth feeling for And Did Those Feet.
"The whole programme this year is excellent and I'm really excited about Oh What A Lovely War; that whole thing about acting one minute and playing music the next. The singing and dancing is a bit out of my comfort zone, but when I left Emmerdale I wanted to stretch myself," he said.
Oh What A Lovely War, the stage musical made into a film by Richard Attenborough and starring John Mills, Lawrence Olivier and John Gielgud, oozes futility and tragedy, but without sentimentality, and features end-of-the-pier musical classics.
John McArdle, who rose to fame as Brookside's Billy Corkhill, said: "It is about war and the tragedy and the waste of all these young men's lives.
"But the play is structured in a way that is entertaining as well as informative so people have a good night out. At the same time, there are very poignant moments which come across very strongly.
"I think Bolton audiences will love it. You are close to the action and you cannot help but be moved or entertained."
# Oh What A Lovely war runs from October 25 to November 17, and tickets are available at £8.50 from 01204 520661 or at www.octagonbolton.co.uk
Oh what a lovely cast
By Andrew Mosley
AN ALL-star cast has been assembled for the Octagon Theatre's latest production - Oh What A Lovely War.
The 13-strong line-up includes the Octagon's 40th Anniversary patrons Matthew Kelly and John McArdle, as well as Emmerdale's Jeff Hordley, and Matthew Kelly's son, Matthew Rixon.
The play chronicles the horrors of the First World War through song, comedy and dance.
Jeff Hordley, best known for his part as Emmerdale bad boy Cain Dingle, also starred in the recent Octagon production of And Did Those Feet.
He said: "The response has been incredible. The warmth of feeling from the people of Bolton has been great.
"I think at the time when both plays were set, no matter how hard the times were, there was a real feeling of just getting on with it.
advertisement
"There's that sense in both plays of carrying on regardless. Football cup fever continues, despite the depression and the war, and people felt a connection with the footballers. They were local celebrities but they walked round like normal guys," he said.
"The sales for both productions have gone really well. There was a real word of mouth feeling for And Did Those Feet.
"The whole programme this year is excellent and I'm really excited about Oh What A Lovely War; that whole thing about acting one minute and playing music the next. The singing and dancing is a bit out of my comfort zone, but when I left Emmerdale I wanted to stretch myself," he said.
Oh What A Lovely War, the stage musical made into a film by Richard Attenborough and starring John Mills, Lawrence Olivier and John Gielgud, oozes futility and tragedy, but without sentimentality, and features end-of-the-pier musical classics.
John McArdle, who rose to fame as Brookside's Billy Corkhill, said: "It is about war and the tragedy and the waste of all these young men's lives.
"But the play is structured in a way that is entertaining as well as informative so people have a good night out. At the same time, there are very poignant moments which come across very strongly.
"I think Bolton audiences will love it. You are close to the action and you cannot help but be moved or entertained."
# Oh What A Lovely war runs from October 25 to November 17, and tickets are available at £8.50 from 01204 520661 or at www.octagonbolton.co.uk