Oldham Coliseum Theatre begins ‘new chapter’

Oldham Coliseum Theatre has shared details of its first production since being forced to close its door following the withdrawal of Arts Council England (ACE) funding.

The theatre company will deliver a free, family-friendly, immersive audio event – Secret Summer – at two parks in Oldham over the bank holiday weekend.

Alongside Oldham-based Stand and Be Counted (SBC) Theatre, the two companies will stage the show turning the parks into a trail, inspired by and co-created with children seeking sanctuary, including refugees, asylum seekers and new migrants.

READ MORE:

• Oldham Coliseum gets funding for theatre performances
• Oldham receives ACE funding for cultural activity

Families will join a series of characters in a story created by Syrian writer Anan Tello. It will be available to follow through geolocated sound app Echoes, in both English and Arabic.

The announcement follows confirmation the theatre company has secured ACE funding to deliver a cultural programme across the borough over the next three years, before becoming the lead tenant of a new theatre in Oldham.

The £450,000 is part of a £1.845m package given to Oldham Council to support arts provision in the town while the new theatre is in development.

Oldham Coliseum Theatre Chair, Duncan Craig, said the development is “the first step in a new chapter for the Coliseum”.

“We are fully committed to working with a whole load of partners in Oldham and beyond to deliver high-quality theatrical experiences for local audiences in Oldham and inviting theatregoers from across Greater Manchester to join us, as we start reimagining our organisation from the ground up.”

Oldham Council Leader Arooj Shah said the council is “so pleased to see” the funding given to the Coliseum Theatre put to good use.

“The arts are part of our heritage in Oldham and we want to see more arts and cultural events and activities across the borough, not just this year but for the next three years,” Shah added.

“The funding will deliver just that, while the work to build the new theatre is well underway.”