Thriving Theatre despite venue being closed
●●OLDHAM Coliseum Announces New Plans for Spring and Summer 2024 PREVIEW: STEVE COOKE
ALTHOUGH the Coliseum Theatre venue closed its doors, Oldham Coliseum Theatre is thriving! With a 2024 spring and summer programme of theatre, live performance and creative activities aimed at people of all ages and backgrounds, plus opportunities for aspiring theatre technicians and creatives.
Plans include Coliseum at the Roundabout, a 167-seater pop-up theatre that will host a variety of events between late April and July. Many events will be free to attend, and the opening week will offer local people the opportunity to look around and find out more about the new theatre space.
Roundabout, a state-of-the-art pop-up theatre developed by new writing company Paines Plough, will also be celebrating its tenth anniversary as a touring venue this year.
As well as the artistic programme, individuals as well as artistic, community and other groups are invited to use the Roundabout for a range of activities. Already set to take place are facilitated activities for Full Circle, the Coliseum’s over 50s group; Culture and Chips, where local people come together to discuss arts and culture in Oldham; and Roma Connections, a project for Roma women.
Other groups are being invited to take part by Oldham Theatre Workshop as part of their partnership with the Coliseum. These include Lumenus, for young people with special educational needs; Chrysalis, a company for adults with a range of physical and learning disabilities; and its creative youth council, a group to help shape the future of theatre in Oldham.
There will be opportunities for aspiring theatre technicians and creatives, including the return of the popular Cultivate Festival, the Coliseum’s unmissable opportunity for anyone wanting to get into the different areas of theatre.
There will also be space for local theatre makers to develop and showcase their work through ‘Crafted at the Coliseum’, a new project where they will be offered a bursary and given access to the theatre space for a week to progress work and new ideas they are developing.
This August will see the return of the Khushi Festival, named after the Urdu word for happiness, with local community groups working with specially commissioned artists to cocreate brand new pieces of work.
Poet Nasima Begum will be working with Werneth CHAI; actor and facilitator Perveen Hussain will be working with West Oldham CHAI and the Indian Association; and folk arts and craft visual artist Maryam Hussain will work with Yuvanis Foundation and a group from Greenhill Community Sports and Recreation Club.
Lauren Clancy, interim chief executive, Oldham Coliseum Theatre, says: “We’ve been working with local community groups as part of an engagement process to look at what they would like to see in Oldham, so we’re thrilled to unveil some of our plans for the year ahead, in which we’re bringing new opportunities for people of all ages to come and be creative.
“The Coliseum at the Roundabout is a lynchpin for those plans – a beautiful, theatrical space that will offer artists, community groups and audiences the chance to explore, develop and experience theatre in different ways.”
Councillor Arooj Shah, leader of Oldham Council, said: “I’m delighted that we as a council are working hand in hand with Oldham Coliseum on their spring and summer programme.
“The plans, including the pop-up theatre set to open next month, will give local people and community groups the chance to take part in new and exciting activities, as well as giving us all the opportunity to go and enjoy some brilliant performances.
“As we move forward with the Coliseum on our joint plans for Oldham’s new theatre, it’s so important that we keep working together to provide cultural, artistic and educational opportunities in the meantime – keeping the Coliseum’s proud legacy of producing theatre beating in the heart of our town.”
Jennifer Cleary, director, Combined Arts and North, Arts Council England, says: “It’s good news to see Oldham Coliseum bringing a variety of cultural activity for the people of Oldham to enjoy. We’re proud to be able to support the ambitions that they and the council have for the town whilst a new theatre space is in development, and to ensure that people living here continue to shape and have access to culture.”
More details on this year’s Oldham Coliseum Theatre programme will be released shortly. Visit www.coliseum. org.uk for updates.