The Oldham Coliseum Theatre has appointed a new chief executive after being stripped of Arts Council England (ACE) funding and status.

The theatre, which has been at the heart of Oldham since 1885 and is the last surviving professional theatre in the borough, was one of hundreds of listed National Portfolio Organisations by Arts Council England (ACE) to have its funds suddenly axed.

The Coliseum had applied for £615,182 a year to 2026, totalling more than £1.84m but was unsuccessful and will no longer be part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio from April 2023.

In the wake of the funding rejection, Chris Lawson, the current artistic director at the Oldham Coliseum, has been appointed as the new chief executive.

Other changes to the leadership team include Susan Wildman, the current chief executive, leaving the organisation by mutual consent, and Jan O’Connor stepping down as the chair of the Board of Trustees.

The Oldham Times: Chris Lawson Chris Lawson (Image: Oldham Coliseum)

The Oldham Coliseum Theatre Board of Trustees are currently addressing the situation, informed by Arts Council England’s feedback, and working with Chris Lawson to secure the future of the Coliseum.

In a statement board, said: “The board have been working hard in recent weeks to ensure the company’s stability following Arts Council England’s decision not to include the Coliseum in its National Portfolio from April 2023.

“While ACE’s decision represents a significant loss of income, we believe there are ways to create an exciting future for the Coliseum, and that now is the right time for Chris Lawson to take on the additional responsibilities of chief executive in order to lead the company forward.”

Chris Lawson said: “We have a difficult but exciting job ahead of us, and I’m committed to working with the board and the Coliseum’s dedicated and amazing staff and volunteers to shape a future for the theatre that builds on our enduring dedication to create work for and with the people of Oldham.

“I’m honoured that the board has expressed its confidence that I can lead the company into its next phase, and I’m proud to take on the combined role of artistic director and chief executive at the Coliseum.”

Chris joined the Oldham Coliseum as associate director in 2015 from the Almeida Theatre in London and became artistic director in 2018.

Since joining the Coliseum, Chris has overseen co-productions with the likes of Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Hull Truck, York Theatre Royal and Salisbury Playhouse and led the theatre’s output during the pandemic, including a co-commission with HOME, Manchester, a series of Micro Commissions and an interactive online production.

Chris also launched the annual Cultivate Festival, which welcomes 300 artists to Oldham for a week of workshops, talks and opportunities, and has directed acclaimed productions for plays including the Coliseum’s annual pantomime which this year is Robin Hood.