Parish 'would not be actor' without home theatre

Sarah Parish started her acting career in Yeovil

Actor Sarah Parish, known for appearing in Cutting It and Doctor Who, said her career would not have been possible without Yeovil's Octagon Theatre.

Earlier this month, Yeovil Town Councillors voted to borrow £3.3 million to redevelop the theatre and open it again, after being closed for more than two years.

Parish grew up in the town and made her stage debut aged two in a panto and was then part of Yeovil Youth Theatre. She wrote a letter of support for the Octagon reopening.

"I've made a lot of mistakes on the stage and had a lot of success and a lot of failure on there and it was a really good learning ground," Parish said.

Yeovil's Octagon Theatre has been closed since 2023

Parish added that she has a lot of memories of doing shows at the Octagon.

"It holds such a special place in my heart and I have so many nostalgic memories of that theatre," she said.

"Without that theatre I wouldn't have had the career I've had, really. I really loved performing and to have that space right on my door step was invaluable."

'Arts are always cut'

She said it was an "age-old thing" that the arts were always the first thing to be cut from the budget.

"They're so important for children and adults alike, to be able to express themselves, to be able to be creative," she added.

"Especially in these days where we struggle with mental health, to be able to go somewhere and express yourself and be in a safe space and be able to perform and be in your body is so important.

"Yeovil needs it - every town needs a theatre, really. It was so lovely having that theatre. I'm thrilled that it's going to open again."