Raising £80,000 for Bolton theatre

Peter Kay played three secret intimate gigs in his Bolton hometown yesterday to raise funds for the Octagon theatre.

The comic – currently on a 121-date, three-year area tour – performed three two-hour shows at the 390-capacity venue, raising £80,000. They were his first Bolton shows in 20 years.

Kay attended the youth theatre as a teenager and worked in the box office in the mid-1990s – until he was sacked.

He told the audience he preferred the venue to the money-spinning arena shows ‘because it's nice and intimate’

According to the BBC, he shared anecdotes about working at the theatre, including telling a Coronation Street actor he couldn't come in wearing white jeans and falling asleep watching a play while in his uniform, joking: ‘That wasn't a good advert.’

Tickets sold out within minutes after being made available to the theatre's members, patrons and mailing list subscribers.

 Octagon chief executive Roddy Gauld said: ‘We had an incredible day on Sunday with three shows by Peter Kay. 

‘Over 1,000 people got the chance to be part of a hilarious, exclusive, and up-close performance with one of Britain’s best-loved comedians, here in his hometown. It was a unique experience that Octagon donors and returning customers were able to book.

‘We’re a charity and rely upon fundraising. Every pound allows us to create more magical, creative experiences on and off-stage for young people and communities in Bolton and beyond. We’re incredibly grateful to Peter.

‘Peter was a member of our youth theatre before working in our box office, and his talent and passion for comedy was clear then.’

Published: 11 Dec 2023