The Octagon Theatre is delighted to be Somerset’s Premier Theatre, welcoming over 180,000 visitors a year. However, the South Somerset District Council owned and run theatre is not just a housing venue for touring productions…
Thanks to its increasingly popular Octagon Academy, Yeovil’s theatre is now, more than ever, a beloved cultural hub for the local community.
Since its creation four years ago, the Octagon Academy has flourished as a place to sing, dance and act with the emphasis on fun and enjoyment. With 18 classes to choose from there really is something for all ages and abilities – we have participants ranging from 2 to 80 years of age!
Classes begin with the Octagon Choir (a community choir now over 60 strong!); the Octagon Theatre Company aimed at ages 7 – 16 and MondayMovers: a fitness class for anyone over 40. The Academy also boasts a number of fantastic dance classes from ballet for toddlers right up to classes for older children in street dance, ballroom and dancing for the stage. Adults can also enjoy Latin fit in the evenings or a midday workout with the Lunchtime Tappers. On Saturdays, Castaway Theatre Group is also resident at the theatre.
Being part of the Octagon Academy is a great way to celebrate the local community through making friends in weekly classes, but that’s not all. The Academy also offers a great deal of performance opportunities both within The Octagon Theatre and the wider community. The Academy have an annual showcase, ‘SHINE’, at The Octagon Theatre whilst The Octagon Choir also perform in local carol concerts over the Christmas period – and have even performed with the Classical Brit-award winning ‘Blake’. Two of the Academy groups – Castaways and The Octagon Theatre Company – are also running Summer School Projects at The Octagon Theatre this August.
Outside of the Octagon Academy, The Octagon Theatre is also the meeting place for numerous groups from creative writers to local artists, cancer support groups and many more.
If you love to sing, were born to dance, or simply want to participate or get fit the Octagon Academy has something for you! For more information about the Octagon Academy, or on hiring the theatre for your meeting or event, please visit our website: www.octagon-theatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on 01935 422884.