Octagon Theatre set to remain open until mid-2023 with an exciting range of shows confirmed

You will be able to enjoy some of your favourite shows for longer at The Octagon Theatre with the venue now set to be opened until mid-2023.

As the programme for developing The Octagon Theatre moves ahead at pace, there are still a number of key milestones that need to be achieved before building work can commence. Therefore, the decision has been taken to keep the theatre open, with performances taking place until the end of April.

One popular national tour set to come in February is Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap which is set to go on sale in the coming weeks along with Wodehouse in Wonderland. Contracts for many other shows are also being finalised to fill dates until the closure, so you will be spoilt for more entertainment choice.

A rescheduled performance by Rhod Gilbert will be taking place at The Octagon in January and Tap Factory which is currently set to take place at Westlands Entertainment Venue in February will be moving back to The Octagon.

Some local amateur groups are also taking advantage of The Octagon remaining open and brining their shows back to its stage, including The Dance Factory with Dance Infinity, The Helen Laxton School of Dance & The Somerset School of Performing Arts with Everybody Dance, Yeovil Amateur Pantomime Society (YAPS) with Aladdin and Yeovil Amateur Operatic Society (YAOS).

Councillor Mike Best, portfolio holder for Health and Well-Being at South Somerset District Council, said: “The updated programme now means performances can be booked through to the end of April which will give everyone a bit longer to enjoy shows at The Octagon including the national tour of The Mousetrap. We know our audiences, staff and performers cannot wait for the transformation of The Octagon Theatre to take place and we will keep everyone updated as we continue on this exciting journey.”

Plans which will see The Octagon Theatre transformed into a centre of excellence are progressing with final touches being made before a formal planning application is submitted in the coming weeks.

Recently, The Octagon Theatres and architects Fielden Clegg Bradley arranged two open days that enabled the public to come in and view the plans, speak to staff and provide feedback. Over 75 people attended the sessions with many more viewing the plans online.

The proposed Octagon Theatre will include:

• An increased seating capacity in the main auditorium from 622 to 900, with enhanced technical facilities that will improve the comfort for audiences.
• Two new smaller cinema/studio spaces predominately for film screenings but also able to host smaller scale live performances.
• A dance studio which will become the new home for our popular Octagon Academy and be the perfect place for all dance classes. It will be a rehearsal space where local dancers of all ages learn new skills, develop their talents and prepare for performances on stage.
• A community studio offering an alternative space for additional classes. Rehearsals including our popular choir, theatre groups, and arts and craft workshops.
• A greatly improved café bar area open throughout the day for the public and patrons to enjoy and relax.
• Improved front of house and customer facilities
• Improved backstage accessibility
• The construction of a fly tower which can be used for flying scenery, enabling larger visiting companies to use our venue which would bring a new range of shows and entertainment to Yeovil.
• A Changing Places Toilet for those with additional needs that we hope will make our venue, the town centre and Yeovil Country Park more accessible.

You can find out more about The Octagon Theatre development on our website.