Oldham Coliseum: Flash mob to assemble on panto night

As a symbol of unwavering support and determination to preserve the 138-year-old theatre, a flash mob is due to take place outside the premises on Fairbottom Street on November 11.

The event coincides with what would have been the opening night of the much-loved annual pantomime at the theatre and promises to be a family-friendly "lively celebration" of the theatre's significance.

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Participants will wear colourful costumes, brandish banners and balloons and hand out badges while some will dress up as beloved pantomime characters including dames.

Residents, members of the audience and members of the public are invited to gather with the group at 3.30pm - and to be part of an afternoon of solidarity with support to save the building.

The flash mob will take place on Saturday, November 11, outside the Coliseum building (Image: Newsquest, Olivia Bridge)

The objective is to send out a message that Oldham Coliseum holds a special place in the hearts of many, both locally and in the artistic community at large.

The flash mob comes as the fate of the former theatre remains uncertain.

The new £24m theatre space that is proposed to open in 2026 is considered by some to be too small, with a smaller stage, fewer seats, limited wing space and no fly tower, which is regularly used in the company's pantomime performances.

As such, campaigners to Save Oldham Coliseum argue that there is doubt over the future of the annual pantomime which has served as a major revenue source for the Coliseum.

Actors Maxine Peake, Julie Hesmondalgh and writer, Ian Kershaw, have played a significant part in the campaign to spare the theatre from a tragic end.

The fight continues with a fresh conversation taking place among campaigners, artists, Oldham Council and Oldham Coliseum Theatre Ltd and various funding bodies, to "breathe new life" into the building.

This includes expanding the foyer, backstage area and cafe-bar space while creating modern studios and rehearsal spaces that would ensure the Coliseum thrives for another 138 years.

The vision would restore the Oldham Coliseum to its former glory as a vibrant producing theatre.

Julie Hesmondalgh said: "Far from being over, the passion and enthusiasm to save the historic and wonderful Coliseum and reinstate it as a producing theatre - the jewel in Oldham’s crown - is growing in momentum.

"I feel very proud to be campaigning alongside artists and audiences to restart a conversation about saving the theatre, at a fraction of the millions of what the proposed new build would cost.” 

Other famous faces, who share the sentiment and cause, will be among the crowd of supporters on November 11.

It is hoped the flash mob will mark a new milestone in the ongoing campaign to rejuvenate Oldham Coliseum.

A letter to support saving Oldham Coliseum has recently been signed by the following: 

Joe Alessi, Esh Alladi, Mina Anwar, Grant Archer, Judith Barker, Christine Bottomley, Joyce Branagh, Jim Broadbent, Sally Carman, Jim Carter OBE, Jim Cartwright, Mark Chatterton, Sushil Chudasama, Caroline Clegg, Richard Clifford, Dominic Cooke CBE, Antony Cotton MBE, Clara Darcy, Joanna David, Les Dennis, Sue Devaney, Matthew Dunster, Joe Duttine, Sally Dynevor, Christopher Eccleston, Marianne Elliot OBE, Siobhan Finneran, David Fleeshman, Brigit Forsyth, Edward Fox, Emilia Fox, Freddie Fox, Sarah Frankcom, Tony Gardner, Nicholas Gleaves, Shobna Gulati DL, Jimmi Harkishan, Rebekkah Harrison, Jonathan Harvey, Andy Hay,  Jane Hazlegrove, Carla Henry, John Henshaw, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Rupert Hill, Anastasia Hille, Paul Hilton, Amanda Holden, Sir Derek Jacobi, Sue Jenkins, Sue Johnston, Suranne Jones, Toby Jones,  Ian Kershaw, Noreen Kershaw, Barbara Knox MBE, Dame Maureen Lipman, Sally Ann Matthews, Sir Ian McKellen, Kevin McMonagle, Carla Mendoca, Isobel Middleton, David Neilson, Sue Nicholls, Rufus Norris, Con O’Neill, Maxine Peake, Dame Sian Philips, Jenny Platt, Eric Potts, Naomi Radcliffe, Dame Vanessa Redgrave, Lynda Rooke, Barrie Rutter, Lesley Sharp, Raz Shaw, Nick Sidi, Colin Snell, Imelda Staunton CBE, Nicola Stephenson, Kenneth Alan Taylor, Dame Emma Thompson, Sophie Thompson, Lawrence Till, Susan Twist, Indira Varma, Annie Wallace, Matthew Warchus, Jason Watkins, Lindsay Williams,  Greg Wise, Helen Worth MBE.

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.