Tickets plan hailed by Burnham

OLDHAM Coliseum can bid for free tickets for people aged under 26 to encourage involvement in the arts.

It is hoped 95 theatres across the country will be involved in the scheme

The £2.5 million programme, announced by Culture Secretary Andy Burnham and funded by Arts Council England, will be start in February and hopes to provide a million free tickets by March, 2011.

Mr Burnham said: “Culture has the power to change lives. I’ve seen it myself so many times.

“A young person attending the theatre can find it an exhilarating experience, and be inspired to explore new horizons.

“But sometimes people miss out on it because they fear it’s not for them. It’s time to change this perception.

“This investment means that a new audience will get the chance to enjoy the best our theatre has to offer. Theatres up and down the country will get the chance to work with us to provide a million free tickets to productions over the next two years.

“So it will be good for theatres who will see their audience broaden, and it will be good for actors who play at their best when performing to a full house.

“England’s theatre is among the best in the world, and it’s only right that it should be available to the widest audience possible.”