Colourful flashmob shows their support for Oldham Coliseum
The flash mob took place on the day marking what would be the theatre's annual pantomime opening
Last updated 12th Nov 2023
A colourful cast of characters, including ex-Corrie actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, have taken to the streets of Oldham to continue their bid to save the Coliseum.
The flash mob marks what would have been the theatre's annual pantomime opening performance.
The theatre closed in March this year after losing it's Arts Council funding, but in a bid to save the building and preserve it's 138-year history, locals and stars gathered outside of the theatre donning fancy dress to show their support for the theatre.
There are potential plans to replace the Coliseum with a more modern theatre, however there have been concerns raised over it's construction.
The proposed theatre features a smaller stage, fewer seats, no fly tower, and limited wing space, which would compromise the viability of the Coliseum as a producing theatre.
Crucially, it casts doubt on the future of the much-loved annual pantomime, which has consistently served as a major revenue source for the Coliseum. Additionally, concerns have been raised about access requirements, including limited lift space and the absence of an adult changing room which is a statutory necessity for public buildings.
Speaking to Julie Hesmondhalgh at the flash mob demonstration she said: "This is the jewel in the crown of this town."
"It's what sets it apart from other struggling Northern towns and it really matters to the people of Oldham.
"It's a tragedy because it's not something that can be recreated."
A collective of influential artists who have passed through the doors of Oldham Coliseum have rallied behind this cause including Dame Emma Thompson, Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Vanessa Redgrave.
The flash mob event marks a milestone in the ongoing campaign to rejuvenate Oldham Coliseum and secure its place as a cultural cornerstone for generations to come.