The Coliseum helped launch the careers of Christopher Eccleston, Maxine Peake and Suranne Jones
Oldham's Coliseum theatre has been saved and is officially due to reopen in time for the 2025 pantomime season.
But an energetic campaign spearheaded by Julie Hesmondhalgh and BAFTA-winning screenwriter Ian Kershaw alongside the support of Oldham Council has now secured a £10m pledge for its relaunch. The council had initially intended to build a new home for the Coliseum with better wheelchair access and space for a theatre cafe. But an initial design was abandoned when its projected price doubled and new plans showed a smaller ‘arts and culture’ venue without a producing theatre which “no one wanted”, according to Hesmondhalgh.
Jim McMahon MP, who has also played a key role in the Coliseum’s re-opening, said: “This announcement is the direct result of people coming together to stand up for the things that matter in their communities. The outcry from the people of Oldham and beyond at the Coliseum’s closure was testament to the value that culture and the arts have in forging relationships to places and between people.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ten amazing things Oldham has given the worldTen things Oldham has gifted to advancement of civilisation as the Greater Manchester town celebrates its 175th birthday
Read more »
The GM area where people are so unbothered some don't even know the voting ageAnd why housing is the biggest election issue for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Read more »
'Nah I don't care about that, sorry - not interested'And why housing is the biggest election issue for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Read more »
Oldham street cleaner grills Nigel Farage'I don't know a street in Glodwick where the whole population couldn't speak English'
Read more »
The Oldham 'supermum' who has provided a home for hundreds of children'Each child brings something special'
Read more »
We asked every election candidate in Oldham what they'd do about child povertyChild poverty is a huge issue in the area. What are our politicians going to do about it?
Read more »