Outlook ‘bleak’ as Equity calls on ACE to save Coliseum jobs

The call came outside Arts Council England’s Manchester office on Lever Street in the city’s Northern Quarter.

Equity general secretary Paul Fleming said there was a ‘real threat to the ability of this region to carry on producing theatre,’ with union councillor Victoria Brazier calling the situation for theatre ‘bleak.’

A press conference was held at just after 2pm, following a meeting between union officials and representatives from the Arts Council.

Equity members hold placards outside the Arts Council building (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

Addressing members of the press on the pavement outside the building, surrounded by ‘Save the Coliseum’ placards, Mr Fleming said: “We’ve just had a meeting with the Arts Council to talk about the implications of their decision for the whole community, for the night-time economy, for the hospitality industry in-and-around Oldham, but specifically also for our members.

“We have to be really clear that 20 per cent of actor work in Greater Manchester is under threat as a result of this decision, that is an enormous impact on our members and on the sustainability of culture in the North West as a whole.”

The general secretary said the Arts Council had listened to what Equity had said and would be taking its concerns to Oldham Council, but there was not much new to announce.

Oldham Coliseum applied for nearly £1.85 million of funding over the next three years, but was forced to announce it will permanently close its doors at the end of the month after the Arts Council refused to give it further funding.

Instead, the Arts Council has given the same amount of money to the borough and is waiting for a proposal from Oldham Council as to how this money will be spent.

Mr Fleming said if a bid came from the council that did not ensure there continued to be a producing theatre that employed the same number of actors and backstage professionals, Equity would ‘not be happy,’ with the ball "in the court of the local authority and the Arts Council".

Actors support campaign

Also in attendance were actors supporting the campaign.

Actor John Henshaw (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

Actor John Henshaw, known for his roles in Early Doors and Born and Bred, told The Oldham Times: “I think it’s a disgrace that they’re going to close Oldham Coliseum, it’s much needed in Oldham at the moment, Oldham’s a bit sad and it needs a bit of TLC, the last thing it needs is to lose its theatre.

“It’s a diverse community, Oldham Coliseum caters for it. It would be a shame to let it go, they’ve promised us a new theatre, but we’ve had promises before, and we need to save the building and all, it’s a fantastic place, it’s a community hub and we should stand up and argue for it, it’s a disgrace.”

It’s a disgrace that they’re going to close Oldham Coliseum

Actor and writer Zoe Iqbal, who recently performed in ROAD at Oldham Coliseum, said: “I love the Coliseum, I love the audiences, I love the people, I love everyone that works there, I’ve loved working there and I just think Oldham is massive, and there are so many people that can’t always trek into Manchester.

Zoe Iqbal is an actor and writer (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

“You can’t just remove for three years that theatre space.

“I’m just gutted, I just think if this funding is for the people, for three years they’re not going to have anything and what will happen with the new space? There’s a great team at Oldham Coliseum doing great work.”

Oldham people deserve theatre on their doorstep

Ms Brazier said: “We went in to talk to the Arts Council today about the decision they made and where that’s landed us with Oldham Coliseum.

“They listened to what we had to say, particularly in terms of the work that’s going to be lost for our members, but ultimately we didn’t come away with the great news that I was hoping for, because I live in hope, and nothing has really changed.

“The biggest impact is on Oldham specifically as that is the only producing theatre in that area.

“It’s very easy for some people to say ‘oh they can nip into Manchester, it’s only half an hour away.’

“For me, that’s completely beside the point, Oldham people deserve theatre on their doorstep, they shouldn’t have to travel into Manchester, and the reality is a lot of people can’t afford to. 

Equity North West councillor Victoria Brazier (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

“The panto at Oldham has been talked about a lot because it’s so well-loved. In order to come into Manchester to see a panto probably with a celebrity in it you’re looking at at least £50 a ticket and a tram ticket, and then you need to get some food – it’s not manageable.

“It’s devastating for Oldham, especially the audiences and the people in the community. In the North West in general we haven’t got a huge number of theatres in Greater Manchester.

“We’ve got the Royal Exchange, we’ve got HOME which doesn’t produce very much, and we’ve got Bolton Octagon, so losing one is a massive, massive impact on the industry.”

Asked about the future of theatre in the North West, Victoria said: “I really want to live in hope, but it feels quite bleak at the moment. If we lose that we lose a really historic company, which can’t help for what’s next and who else might lose money.

“Of course it’s complicated, funding is complicated, there isn’t enough money in the country for culture, but it does feel bleak.”

Arts Council responds

An Arts Council spokesperson said: “We invited Equity to meet with us today to hear the concerns of their members. We don’t fully recognise the account that they have given of the meeting.

“Oldham Coliseum Ltd has been facing financial and governance challenges for some time and as guardians of public money we could not invest in an organisation at such a high risk.

“We’re standing by our commitment to invest £1.85 million in performing arts in Oldham over the next three years, which will create new opportunities for artists and audiences.”

Oldham Council was contacted for comment.