Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has taken to the stage in a call for Oldham Coliseum’s funding to be reinstated.

The cast of the Fairbottom Street theatre's pantomime Robin Hood and Ms Abrahams met onstage as they called for Arts Council England to ‘"Save Oldham Coliseum".

The meeting happened with the cast in full costume on Wednesday, November 16, as they took a break between shows at the opening of panto season.

For many performers and creatives who work for the theatre, jobs may be under threat after the Arts Council decided to pull all of its funding from Coliseum.

Commenting on the decision, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, Debbie Abrahams, said: “It is extremely disappointing that Oldham Coliseum has not been included in the Arts Council’s new investment programme and I am very concerned about what this means for the long-term viability of the theatre.

“For generations, the Coliseum has played a leading role in nurturing, and employing, local talent – including working with vulnerable young people and supporting them to work in theatre.

“I understand discussions are currently ongoing between Oldham Coliseum, Oldham Council and ACE and I hope we will see some progress.

“I have written to ACE to outline my concerns. I will do all I can to support the Coliseum and ensure it gets the funding it deserves.”

ALSO READ: Future of Oldham Coliseum Theatre under threat.

Equity, the performing arts and entertainment trade union, is demanding that the decision to exclude Oldham Coliseum from the 2023-2026 National Portfolio Organisation funding stream is reversed.

Other organisations that have also lost the status include the Regional Theatre Young Directors Scheme, The Watermill in Newbury, and the English National Opera in London, with hundreds of jobs said to be at risk.

On Monday, November 14, Equity members came together to demand the reversal of cuts at two events held outside ACE offices in Manchester and London.

The Manchester event was also attended by actress Julie Hesmondhalgh and writer Ian Kershaw.

Equity will be holding a demonstration outside the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport in London on Tuesday, November 22, with an open invitation to attendees.

The demand is for the department to reverse its decision to remove arts organisations from the national portfolio, and to increase culture funding across the UK.

An Arts Council England spokesperson said: “This was the Arts Council’s most competitive ever Investment Programme, and as a result we have had to make difficult decisions.

“We understand that this is unwelcome news for organisations who have not been offered funding, and we have a package of support in place to help those organisations.

“Oldham Coliseum can apply for transition support and is being supported by Oldham Council to look at alternative funding models to try and secure its legacy.

“We have ring-fenced other funding over three years to support the development of cultural activity in Oldham, and we will be working with Oldham Council to ensure this money will have the greatest impact on the town.”