The Coliseum is the last surviving professional, producing theatre in Oldham. It’s been in the town for over 100 years, survived two World Wars and a global pandemic, but at the end of March it will be forced to lower the curtain for the final time after losing its entire Arts Council England (ACE) funding.
In its 135-year history, the Fairbottom Street theatre, or ‘Coli’ as it is affectionately called, has been a training ground for a host of TV stars, including Coronation Street's Jean Alexander, Barbara Knox and William Roache, and a major employer of creatives across the region and beyond.
In November, it became the biggest theatre outside London to lose its £600,000 ACE subsidy, in a funding shake-up that sent shockwaves through the arts community. First, it cancelled all upcoming shows, including adaptations of I, Daniel Blake, Around the World in 80 Days, and its much-loved pantomime, then just a few weeks later, bosses confirmed the historic theatre had entered a period of consultation and would be closing its doors for good.
