On Friday 29 November, Adam Burgan, Arts and Entertainment Manager at The Octagon Theatre, received the news that he had won Encore Magazine’s Theatre Manager of the Year Award for the second consecutive year.
Adam Burgan won Theatre Manager of the Year for the first time in 2012, recognising the increased attendance and ticket sales, successful Arts Council grants and development of participatory activity at South Somerset District Council run theatre since he became Arts and Entertainment Manager in 2009. Mr Burgan’s programming skills have undoubtedly helped him to secure the title of Theatre Manager of the Year for the second time, given that The Octagon’s last Autumn/Winter season included no less than 25 sell out shows such as: Ken Dodd, The Nutcracker, Mary Berry, Fascinating Aida, Alan Davies and Show of Hands – to name a few!
Adam said “I was surprised and delighted to win the award for the theatre for a second year running. It is a national award nominated for and voted by colleagues in the industry: artists, producers, other venues and audiences so to have this ‘pat on the back’ for a second year is just wonderful. I think it recognises all of the dedicated, talented and passionate people who work or visit The Octagon. This theatre really is a fantastic place that makes so many people happy and makes a difference to people’s lives and the community in South Somerset. I’m so proud to be part of it and to have this recognised on a national platform is fantastic.”
Councillor Sylvia Seal, Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Culture said, “To achieve such a great award for the second year running is a credit to Adam and his team. It also shows the dedication and hard work put in by all to make the public’s experience at The Octagon Theatre as good as it can be. Congratulations Adam, to your team and also to Evolution Productions for your Producer of the Year award. I think both awards really show the quality of those that work and perform at The Octagon Theatre.”
Producers of The Octagon Theatre’s latest pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Evolution Productions, were also delighted to find out on Friday that they too have won an award from Encore Magazine: Producer of the Year. Evolution’s award is clearly well deserved as Snow White has proved to be a Box Office smash for The Octagon Theatre – having already sold more tickets than any previous pantomime at the theatre before the production opens on 12th December!