And Did Those Feet (starring Chris Finch)

[Joanna]

Booking details are now up on the Bolton Octagon site. It will be running between 11 March and 10 April next year, with that including a post-show 'meet the director and cast' (none of which are currently confirmed, btw) on Thursday 25 March. Only season tickets are currently on sale for the 2009/2010 season (the first overseen by the theatre's new artistic director, David Thacker), but that extends to individual productions from 1 June.

An overview of this new season of productions can be found over on the Octagon Blog. On ADTF, it says....

The Bolton Wanderers’ 1923 Cup Final triumph against West Ham United is often remembered because the match could only begin once the spectators were cleared from the new Wembley Stadium pitch by a policeman on a white horse. And Did Those Feet (11 March – 10 April 2010), by Les Smith and Martin Thomasson, which won the Manchester Evening News Award for Best New Play in 2007, is the story as told through the lives of the team’s supporters.

And from a 'Patrick Stewart introduces David Thacker' foreword in the new season brochure....

There's a revival of one of the most popular and successful productions in the Octagon's history - And Did Those Feet. The story of Bolton Wanderers' 1923 Cup Final triumph is told through the lives of half a dozen or so characters in the build-up to that famous Wembley White Horse moment. If like me, you've never seen And Did Those Feet, don't be put off if you don't like football - David tells me it is brilliantly funny and intensely moving and will appeal to everyone."

 

[Joanna]

In the latest issue of The Stage, there are interviews with both the outgoing (Mark Babych) and incoming (David Thacker) Artistic Directors of Bolton Octagon. There's mention of ADTF in the Mark Babych feature....(which had an accompanying pic, btw...that I've not bothered to scan!)

(click for full-size image)



And at the bottom of this Whatsonstage.com interview with Mark...

Finally, what’s next for you?

I don’t know! I’ve got a lot of meetings coming up, and it’s very nice that David Thacker (incoming Artistic Director) has asked me back to direct And Did Those Feet. The major reason for going was to recharge my batteries and refresh myself. I’ve learned a lot, but you can get a little bit myopic, a little tunnel- visioned, and I wanted to get out there again, and remind myself what it’s about.

 

[Joanna]

From Chris's public twitter (and with the relevant permission for taking any of his tweets off twitter, btw, as I wasn't sure if he'd mind or not!)...

Hmm, trying to decide whether or not to act in And Did Those Feet at the Octagon again next year...any thoughts?

'Thoughts'?...Well, it'd of course be good to see you in a quality theatre production, but that obviously doesn't outweigh your feelings on whether to appear again in this one in particular.

Why are you unsure on what to do, then, Chris? Is it linked in with how far in advance you're having to decide whether to do it or not? So having to commit to something not knowing what else could possibly be around the March/April 2010 corner? The finances of it much of a factor?

 

[Booth]

I think he should so this time I can go and see it. Was gutted I missed it last time :fillingup:

 

[Chris Finch]

Yeh thats pretty much it Joanna.

I'm also running a PT business so have to take clients into consideration. Pretty sure I've made up my mind though

 

[Joanna]

That mean you're probably doing it, then?!

 

[Joanna]

The 'stage' section of Chris's Spotlight CV has had a lil update.

 

[Joanna]

The And Did Those Feet page, on the Bolton Octagon site, has been updated with cast/creative info for its 2010 revival. There's also a piece on the revival on the Octagon Blog.

 

[Booth]

This has turned out very handy for us as it means we have Chris for ADR during March as he's back in Bolton for the duration of the play. This time I want to make sure I get a ticket too!

 

[Joanna]

From the Octagon Blog....

Free tickets to And Did Those Feet

Wanderers' Glory Days at the Octagon

(Click pic to view it in large)

 

[Joanna]

And Did Those Feet - behind the scenes

There are a few pics of The Finch therein....

 

[Joanna]

There's an ADTF feature/Chris interview in today's The Bolton News. A certain Karl gets a look-in, too...

All the best from me to Chris and the rest of the ADTF cast/creatives for both a great opening night tonight and a successful run.x

 

[Chris Finch]

Thanks Joanna!