It was a moment they hoped would never happen, but on Friday evening the curtains at Oldham Coliseum fell for a final time.
Going out on "it's on terms" following the loss of its subsidy from Arts Council England (ACE) back in November, the Fairbottom Street theatre closed its doors for good following one final celebratory show. Encore featured performances from the likes of Christopher Eccleston and Maxine Peake, and many other famous faces who had trod the boards of the much-loved venue.
Now, following its final curtain call, staff at the 138-year-old venue have begun the difficult task of winding down the operation. This afternoon, images of the theatre being packed up were shared on Facebook with followers branding them 'heartbreaking'.
Read more: "We will be reunited": A triumphant last hurrah as town bids emotional farewell to Oldham Coliseum
"It’s odd around here but there are a lot of chocolates in the green room to keep us going," says Shelly Ramsdale, Oldham Coliseum’s Head of Marketing. "We had everyone backstage sign the wall on Friday evening and I think we’ve all spent a good half an hour looking at it."
Just a few weeks earlier, Shelly said people had been calling up and coming by the theatre asking to purchase pictures on the walls of famous stars who have performed at the theatre. Today, she is undertaking the task of unpublishing the website, while box office staff are returning credit on the systems.
This week already, seat plaques have been removed ready to return to their owners, lights have come down for the final time, and props and furniture have been donated to other theatres.
In a post on its Facebook page, the Coliseum shared: "It's a strange week at the Coliseum now that we're literally behind closed doors. Some of our team left the organisation at the end of our Encore event on Friday evening, but the rest of us are still here, and we're working together on the task of winding down our operation."
In November, (ACE) dropped the Coliseum from its funding portfolio for the next three years after deeming it ‘high risk’ and raised concerns about its’ financial management, leadership and governance. The funding cut – which was a third of the income for the Coliseum – meant the financial situation was ‘not sustainable for the current continuation of the business’, theatre chiefs said.
The Coliseum dates back to 1885, beginning life as the Colosseum in the town centre and was the only surviving professional theatre in the town. Over the years, countless performers trod its boards - from comedy greats Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel to movie stars such as Minnie Driver and Ralph Fiennes - and it also served as a training ground for a host of Coronation Street stars.
In the comments of The Coliseum's Facebook post, many who had visited or worked at the venue expressed their sadness and anger at the situation. One person wrote: "So very sad worked as volunteer for many years and looking at pictures of props and remembering all the great shows , should never have got to this will be greatly missed. Good luck to all the staff left to organise and make sure most things can be of use elsewhere."
Another added: "As a local dance teacher and owner-principal of the Pauline 'G' School of Dance, it's heartbreaking news that we've lost our theatre. I have performed on that stage so many times, as have my dancers. I've also watched numerous shows, plays and pantomimes, as well as choreographed for stage shows there. What a loss! I have a very heavy heart. Happy memories reside though. Xxx Best wishes to all the staff there."
While a third wrote: "Crying shame. We've got great memories of bringing a coach full of excited members of the Church Lads and Church Girls Brigade of St Peter's Ashton to see the annual pantomime there. They were brilliant."
Read more:
“I wouldn’t be an actor if it wasn’t for Oldham Coliseum," says Christopher Eccleston
The show where the audience is BANNED from singing - The Bodyguard reviewed
Defaced mural of Paul O’Grady painted over with touching tribute
The street where people say they 'won't survive' if traffic is allowed to go down it
“It will echo off the walls when the lights go out”: Oldham Coliseum's powerful last word
