Mark Babych is the man responsible for providing top-class entertainment for thousands of East Lancashire theatregoers. He spoke to JOHN ANSON. . .

I'M not quite sure why I found the idea of Mark Babych offering to make me a cup of tea when we met to be so surprising.

Perhaps it's just that I hadn't expected the artistic director of one of the region's leading theatres to be so down-to-earth.

But that's exactly what he is. Clearly he's a man who believes passionately in the theatre and its important role in the community but you could never accuse him about being precious about his art.

The large photograph of Manchester United above his desk and coffee mug with the club crest on also hint that here is a man with his feet on the ground (although his allegiances could be said to be misguided)

In his role as artistic director of the Octagon Theatre in Bolton, Mark Babych has for the last five years overseen the development of one of area's leading arts venues.

His vision has had a massive impact on the lives of thousands of theatregoers from East Lancashire, with over a third of the Octagon's regular audiences coming from the area.

"Yes there is a great deal of responsibility with the job," he said, "and it's a responsibility I take very seriously. But I really enjoy it. I enjoy the daily challenge and I have got a very good team around me."

Tonight sees the final production of Twelfth Night at the Octagon -- the first play in the theatre's autumn and winter programme. Next up is Frankie and Johnny in the Clair De Lune, which opens on October 26 and stars Chris Gascoyne, Coronation Street's Peter Barlow.

But Mark already has his thoughts on what to offer theatre lovers next spring as he begins to put together a new programme.

"I think what we are trying to do here is to make the theatre going experience a pleasant one," he said. "But at the same time that doesn't mean that at times it can't be challenging or provoke a reaction."

As artistic director, Mark -- who joined the Octagon from being associate director of the Worcester Theatre Company -- has to weigh up both artistic and commercial priorities.

"I think that in terms of productions we have always punched well above our weight. The quality of sound, design and acting is very, very good. Because of financial demands, the average cast is usually around five so I have always got to have that in mind. Yes it would be great to stage a production with a massive cast but that would be totally unrealistic for us."

Mark is very conscious of the diverse nature of his theatre audiences and that too comes into his programming.

"You cannot offer a programme aimed solely at one part of your audience," he said. "If you do, you will lose all the other completely.

"I see very clearly the role the Octagon has to play in the community as a whole and that means we have to offer a diverse range of productions."

Mark is also particularly proud of the theatre's work away from the main stage with school visits and workshops held in community centres.

But for East Lancashire's theatregoers, the impressive theatre building is what really acts as a draw.

"When it comes to putting a programme together I will start thinking about that months in advance. I try to get to see or read scripts of as many productions as possible and I am always trying to achieve a good balance," he said.

As for casting his shows Mark regularly calls on a number of actors he has worked with before.

"Last season I got sent details from over 3,000 actors asking me to cast them. Now we go through agents if we need to," he said. "I do like to work with people I've got on well with before. Very often I will have someone in mind for a particular role."

Part of Mark's role is to act as a champion for theatre in the North West and it is a subject which enthuses him.

"In the commercial world we live in I believe very strongly that Lancashire theatre is making a massive contribution to the cultural life of the area," he said.

For details of all productions at the Octagon Theatre, contact the box office on 01204 520661.