Oldham theatre forced to close as funding ends

One of Britain’s oldest theatres is to close after Arts Council England withdrew its funding.

Oldham Coliseum dates to 1885 and has played host to performers including Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel. Sarah Lancashire and Dora Bryan are among the actors who launched their careers on its stage.

As part of its funding review in November, Arts Council England announced that it was withdrawing the Victorian theatre’s £1.8 million grant. The grant represented one-third of the Coliseum’s income.

The theatre will close to the public on Friday, March 31, and make all staff redundant.