Oldham theatre's future under threat

Standing in solidarity, scores of actors, politicians and supporters from across the region descended on Arts Council England (ACE) in Manchester on Monday urging them to reconsider their 'devastating' defunding plans for Oldham Coliseum Theatre.

Although Oldham is listed as a ‘Levelling Up for Culture’ borough, the theatre’s application for a further three years of ACE funding was rejected last week.

Equity Union delivered a letter to ACE’s Northern office opposing their recent decision to cut Arts Council funding - worth more than £600,000 to the theatre each year for the three years.

Former Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, from Broadbottom, was among the passionate speakers who gave speeches at the protest.

Julie said: “In art, as in life, sometimes it takes a threat of something being taken away from you before you realise just how important it is. And so it is, with Oldham Coliseum, something that we’ve come to take for granted as a jewel in the crown of the Greater Manchester theatre scene.

"I don’t think there is an artist in Greater Manchester or the Greater Northern theatrical community or in the cultural industry as a whole, who does not understand the importance of the Coliseum – not just as a theatrical community but to that very special town and its people.

"The Coliseum’s always held a special place in the hearts and minds of not just the artists who perform there and the people who work there, but of the people who make up the audience there, it engenders a sense of civic pride unrivalled in practically any other theatre that I have ever been to in this country.”

Julie added: "In lockdown, I believe that the Coliseum was industry-leading in terms of its engagement and keeping the theatre up and running.

“It is unbelievable what is happening to Oldham Coliseum, I don’t think there’s anybody in any theatrical institution in this country who wasn’t shocked by this announcement last week and it will prove to be catastrophic to the town of Oldham.

“We now need to pull of this energy of the aftershock, we need to use the passion and the vitality and the shock of what has happened in the last week and ride this wave now to start a vibrant, artist-led campaign to make sure that Oldham does not end it’s 100 year run of making great art and serving the people, not only of Oldham but of Greater Manchester.”

Jay McKenna, regional secretary for TUC North West, said: “When we talk about what matters, about theatre and culture, we don’t just talk about big cities we talk about local communities.

“This isn’t just about jobs, this is about people having access to culture. We hear many people talk about growth and levelling up but you don’t attract jobs and people if you don’t have nice places to live and nice things to do on a Friday and a Saturday evening, or on a Tuesday night.

“The coliseum is important for that because it sustains local communities, it gives young people an outlet, it gives people jobs, it gives communities culture.

“Those jobs that will be lost no doubt because of this, they spend money in their local economy and work, now more than ever, is important to the cost of living crisis.

"So the decision to cut this funding needs to be explained and it needs to be reversed, all of us have set out why that needs to happen. We need to stand up against these attacks on culture, these are vital services which sustain communities and sustain people.”

Other speakers included Ian Kershaw, Paul Liversey, Chris Lawson and John Askew.

The Coliseum Theatre, situated on Fairbottom Street in Oldham, has been an artistic hub in our region since 1885, making it one of the oldest theatres still operating in Britain today and is a popular destination for everyone from across the region, with a wide variety of diverse productions.

The famous annual panto opened on Saturday - with tickets going on sale on the same day for next year’s pantomime production.

The theatre applied for £615,182 a year over the three years 2023-2026, totaling £1,845,546.

Having been funded by ACE for decades, the Coliseum says its current business model relied on this funding.

Coliseum Chief Executive Susan Wildman adds: “For all those who have asked what they can do to help, the message is simple: please continue to support us financially or in whatever way you can. Buy a ticket and come and see the great work that we make. Please give a donation when you book. Think about how your business can work with us.”