Theatre’s lotto cash to archive the past

A LOTTERY windfall will allow youngsters to delve into Oldham Coliseum Theatre’s rich history.

The Fairbottom Street theatre has been awarded £25,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for “Young Roots” — to catalogue their archive with the help of local young people.

The project will allow teenagers aged from 13 to 18 to explore the 125-year history of the theatre.

Accompanying the arch-iving of the Coliseum’s current collection of past programmes and other memorabilia, the project will include:

::Carrying out a collection of oral history recordings.

::Creating a historical exhibition which will be displayed at the theatre.

::Creating a DVD of the findings from the project.

::Developing and performing a piece of theatre based on the process.

Project leader Carly Henderson said: “The project will engage the wider community in learning about the Coliseum’s impressive and rich heritage.

“Theatregoers of all ages — especially young people — will come together to share their knowledge and experiences of the theatre.”

Full of programmes, newspaper cuttings, photographs, autograph books and much more, the Coliseum’s archive is a snapshot of the theatre’s heritage that has served the community of Oldham and Greater Manchester for the past 125 years.

It will involve the complete upheaval of the existing archive to the Oldham Local Studies and Archive building in Union Street, where every piece of print will be registered and filed away.

Everything will still be accessible to staff and public on appointment.

If you would like to get involved contact Carly on 0161-785 7008.