The Coliseum is back! Socially distanced season now on sale

Oldham Coliseum Theatre is reopening to socially distanced audiences from November with a programme of Covid-secure events, including a hard-hitting drama, virtual reality theatre, household names and a new, socially distanced promenade festive offer.

Artistic Director Chris Lawson said: “Despite all the many difficulties of this year, we’re really excited to be opening our doors to audiences once again and proud to present this micro-season of innovative, inspiring and relevant events, with something to suit everyone.

"We know that our audiences have been missing their theatre and we have been working for many months on our thorough Covid-secure measures and procedures to ensure that the Coliseum is a safe space to welcome them back.” 

Oldham’s historic theatre is still able to open under Greater Manchester’s current Tier 3 restrictions and will welcome audiences for the first time since March on Thursday, November 12 for a sold-out performance of Dare to Know Theatre’s 'Drowning'.

The Oldham-based company’s debut play had originally been scheduled for the Coliseum’s 50-capacity studio space and will now be presented socially-distanced in the theatre’s 525-capacity main auditorium.  

A second debut play follows on Saturday, December 5 with 'My Voice Was Heard But It Was Ignored' written by Coliseum-supported artist Nana-Kofi Kufuor and directed by Dermot Daly.

Presented by Red Ladder in association with Oldham Coliseum Theatre, 'My Voice Was Heard But It Was Ignored' interrogates Black identity and poses a big question: if you see something you don’t agree with, do you intervene?

On Monday, December 21, the Coliseum presents 'Julie Likes To Draw Squirrels', the tale of a Lancashire childhood and adolescence written and performed by Julie Hesmondhalgh and directed by Sameena Hussain.

From Friday, December 11 to Saturday, January 2, Oldham Coliseum and Front Room Productions present a magical, socially distanced promenade production of 'A Christmas Carol' for all the family.

In this thrilling re-telling of the famous Christmas classic, you will - quite literally - join Scrooge on his path to redemption.

Prepare to embark on an enchanting journey through the unseen nooks and crannies of the Coliseum and immerse yourself in a festive Dickensian wonderland.

Featuring joyful live music and your favourite Christmas carols, this heart-warming production has social distancing carefully integrated into the performance and promises to leave you with a smile on your face, full of festive cheer. 

Oldham Coliseum closed its doors to the public with immediate effect following the Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday, March 16, less than two hours before the scheduled performance of The Last Quiz Night on Earth at Oldham’s Bank Top Tavern, and a week before the start of the UK national lockdown.

Since its closure the theatre’s teams have been working remotely to create and share great art and opportunities to be creative, and making regular phone calls to participants at risk of experiencing loneliness due to lockdown.

The theatre’s work in lockdown includes: the Coliseum’s Mini-Podcast series, the Poetry Health Service - a Homemakers commission in partnership with HOME, Manchester, the streaming of last year’s hit musical The Hired Man and Coliseum Creates - a resource pack of fun activities for families and children of all ages.

Oldham Coliseum Theatre has only closed once before in its 135-year history.

The theatre is currently running a Crowdfunder #GetBehindUs to raise money to secure its future and keep the magic of theatre alive in Oldham for generations to come.

Donations can be made online. Just click here

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