Oldham Coliseum announces new shows 'at the Roundabout'

Oldham Coliseum Theatre is inviting its audience to support its new plan of productions which will be delivered "at the Roundabout", a 167-seat pop-up theatre, between April and July this year.

The 2024 spring and summer programme promises to deliver theatre, live performances and creative activities for people of all ages and backgrounds, plus create opportunities for aspiring theatre technicians and creatives.

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Coliseum at the Roundabout will host a variety of events over the coming months, many of which will be free to attend.

Its opening week will also offer residents the opportunity to look around and find out more about the new theatre space.

Residents can take a sneak peek tour of the Roundabout (Image: Paines Plough)

The Roundabout is considered a state-of-the-art pop-up theatre which has been developed by a new writing company, Paines Plough, and is celebrating its 10th anniversary as a touring venue this year.

As well as the theatrical programme, creatives and other community groups are invited to use the Roundabout for a range of activities.

The Full Circle, Culture and Chips, the Coliseum's over-50s group, and Roma Connections are planning to utilise the space to discuss arts and culture in Oldham.

Some Oldham Theatre Workshop groups, in partnership with the Coliseum, will also be using the Roundabout, such as its LumenUS group for young people with special educational needs, Chrysalis, which works with adults with a range of physical and learning disabilities, and its creative youth council.

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Meanwhile, aspiring theatre technicians and creatives can get involved with its popular Cultivate Festival.

The festival is the Coliseum's unmissable opportunity for anyone wanting to get into different areas of theatre as it helps local theatre makers to develop and showcase their work through "crafted at the Coliseum".

Participants in the scheme will be offered a bursary and given access to the theatre space for a week to progress their work and any new ideas they are developing.

The Coliseum's Khushi festival is back again this year (Image: Oldham Coliseum)

The Khushi Festival, named after the Urdu word for happiness, is also making its comeback this August where work will be developed by poet, Nasima Begum, Werneth CHAI actor, Perveen Hussain and folk arts and craft visual artist, Maryam Hussain who will work with Yuvanis Foundation and a group from Greenhill Community Sports and Recreation Club.

The exciting programme, supported by Oldham Council and Arts Council England, comes as the Oldham Coliseum Theatre Company awaits to move into its new £24m theatre space.

The closure of the 136-year-old theatre on Fairbottom Street in March last year has meant the company has had no permanent home to operate from - and the new building isn't due to be built for another three years.

Campaigners are determined to save the Coliseum building (Image: Newsquest, Olivia Bridge)

Despite being boarded up and stripped of its assets, "Save Oldham Coliseum" campaigners hope to spare the historic theatre from closing up for good.

• Also read: Oldham Coliseum: Campaign to 'save theatre' continues
• Also read: 'Hands off': Hundreds pack into theatre with battle cry to 'save Oldham Coliseum'

Meanwhile, the Oldham Coliseum Theatre Company has promised to deliver a rich programme of arts and culture to the borough and last year rolled out its first project with Stand and Be Counted Theatre.

The December production involved transforming Oldham's Hilton arcade into an interactive family adventure.

It also produced Oldham's Christmas show, "The Wrong Reindeer", which toured in schools.

Lauren Clancy, interim chief executive of Oldham Coliseum Theatre, said: "We've been working with local community groups as part of an engagement process to look at what they would like to see in Oldham, so we’re thrilled to unveil some of our plans for the year ahead, in which we’re bringing new opportunities for people of all ages to come and be creative.

"The Coliseum at the Roundabout is a lynchpin for those plans - a beautiful, theatrical space that will offer artists, community groups and audiences the chance to explore, develop and experience theatre in different ways."

Lauren Clancy with Councillor Arooj Shah (Image: Oldham Coliseum)

Council leader, Cllr Arooj Shah, said: "I’m delighted that we as a council are working hand in hand with Oldham Coliseum on their spring and summer programme.

"The plans, including the pop-up theatre set to open next month, will give local people and community groups the chance to take part in new and exciting activities, as well as giving us all the opportunity to go and enjoy some brilliant performances.

"As we move forward with the Coliseum on our joint plans for Oldham’s new theatre, it’s so important that we keep working together to provide cultural, artistic and educational opportunities in the meantime – keeping the Coliseum’s proud legacy of producing theatre beating in the heart of our town."

Oldham Coliseum Theatre staged its first show in December last year (Image: Oldham Coliseum)

Jennifer Cleary, director of combined arts and North at Arts Council England, added: "It's good news to see Oldham Coliseum bringing a variety of cultural activity for the people of Oldham to enjoy.

"We're proud to be able to support the ambitions that they and the council have for the town whilst a new theatre space is in development, and to ensure that people living here continue to shape and have access to culture.

"Last year we awarded £1.85m to Oldham Council to commission exciting creative collaborations and activity for everyone to enjoy, and it’s exciting to see this investment coming to fruition.

"We’re committed to working with partners through this and our other investments in the town, providing opportunities for communities across Oldham to take part in creative and cultural activity, both now and in the future."

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.