A host of stars including Maxine Peake and Coronation Street's Sally Dynevor have joined calls to 'Save Oldham Coliseum' after the theatre announced it would have to cancel all of its performances from the end of March due to a funding cut.

The legendary Fairbottom Street theatre, which has stood in Oldham for more than 135 years and is one of the oldest theatres in the country, announced on Monday, 31 January, that it has been forced to cancel all of its shows for 2023 following a severe funding cut.

The Coliseum was rejected by Arts Council England (ACE) for annual funds it has received as far back as 2015.

Local celebrities, actors and actresses, have spoken out against the devastating blow and are urging the arts council to rethink its decision and protect the Coliseum from a possible tragic end.

Stuart Wolfenden, best known for his performances in Coronation Street and Hollyoaks, said his sadness "turned to anger" when he heard the news yesterday. 

The 52-year-old started his career at Oldham Coliseum Theatre in the early 1980s where he performed in the production 'Tommy' and worked backstage on various shows in his teens.

He then went on to play a part in the production of 'The Railway Children' and the world premiere 'Accrington Pals' at the Coliseum before landing Coronation Street and BBC roles in adulthood.

The star said: "Arts Council England should hang their heads in shame as, again, the north continues to lose out to the south.

 

"Huge talent such as Dora Bryan, Eric Sykes, Bernard Cribbins and many of the Coronation Street stars learnt their craft at this amazing theatre.

"The Coliseum IS Oldham. It's a huge part of the community and especially in these times, a wonderful place to escape to and enjoy one of their world-renowned productions."

Stuart immediately launched a GoFundMe page following the news, which has currently raised more than £2,000 at the time of writing in less than 24 hours.

"It's our heritage, Oldham's heritage. 

"Let's save our Coliseum for all our children - the next generation of wonderful talent that is proud to say that they're from Oldham", he added.

But Stuart isn't the only one determined to rescue the well-loved theatre as many more celebrity actors and actresses have voiced their concern.

Sally Dynevor, otherwise known as Sally Metcalfe from her 36-year-long tenure in Coronation Street, wrote: "My dreams of being an actor came from Oldham Coliseum.

"Oldham Council, please save this very important theatre that changed so many lives."

Maxine Peake, famous for her roles in BBC One's 'Dinnerladies' and as Veronica Ball in 'Shameless', amongst many others, also took to Twitter to air her views.

Maxine wrote: "Ok theatre community, what are we doing to help save Oldham Coliseum?

"Let's put our collective heads together... Getting the Tories out is a given", she added.

 

Jenna Russell, who has appeared in numerous musicals and dramas as well EastEnders and Born and Bred, added: "Appalling.

"I did my first rep job at Oldham Coliseum in Howard Goodall's show, 'Girlfriends', in early 1986.

"A beautiful theatre serving a beautiful community."

Corrie's legendary Hayley Cropper, whose real name is Julie Hesmondhalgh, also said there is "massive appetite to save the theatre" and said she will be appearing on the news to talk about the potential loss this evening.

"Awareness of how much it means to Oldham and the Greater Manchester theatre community is the first step.

"Please be assured that there are conversations going on", she added.

 

 

Annie Wallace, who plays Sally St Claire in Hollyoaks and has appeared in a number of Manchester theatre productions such as 'Shameless', said: "Two opera companies, both based in London, got £34 million of Arts Council funding between them, and that was still a cut, but the Oldham Coliseum is closing over the total withdrawal of funding.

"Don't try and tell me about 'levelling up'", she added.

Another actor and writer, Kerry Frater, said on social media: "A sad day. Some think the arts are a luxury, but they are life, they reflect our souls.

"They offer laughs, tears, questions, ugliness and beauty. They give us meaning.

"Destroy it and you kill our very being."

 

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