Oldham Coliseum Theatre rescue 'very much on the table'

While the 136-year-old theatre building has been gutted of its assets and stands boarded up on Fairbottom Street, campaigners have been diligently building momentum to bring the theatre back to life.

Avid campaigners have gained celebrity support with their mission, including Coronation Street's Julie Hesmondalgh, Hollyoaks actress, Annie Wallace and Shameless star, Maxine Peake, and many more who signed a public letter with backing from Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Emma Thompson.

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Several of the stars along with former actors and playwrights took to the streets to assemble a 'panto flash mob' in November last year where many told The Oldham Times the fight to save the historic theatre is "far from over".

The Coliseum has been left empty and boarded up (Image: Save Oldham Coliseum)

Now, the Save Oldham Coliseum group says it had a "triumphant" reception for its new star-studded short film.

The film, Our Sleeping Beauty, features a poetic tribute from Julie Hesmondalgh and gained more than 60,000 views in 24 hours since it went live following its private screening at Valentino's restaurant earlier this week.

Julie, who spearheaded the Save the Coliseum campaign along with BAFTA award-winning writer Ian Kershaw, introduced the short film to the intimate audience and shared some background on the campaign.

Julie Hesmondalgh has been at the forefront of the campaign (Image: Save Oldham Coliseum)

Julie went on to thank people in the room, including the staff at Valentino's, which, like many businesses in the town centre, has been affected by the Coliseum's closure since the shutters came down in March last year.

She said: "I'm thrilled to be able to tell you that putting Oldham Coliseum back on the table as a producing house of, and for, the people of Oldham is a real possibility again.

"Since its closure a year ago, a dogged, passionate, devoted, ragtag bunch of theatre lovers - mostly Oldhamers or long-term fans of The Coliseum - started meeting fortnightly in this very room to fundraise, research, campaign and petition, to laugh, cry and occasionally row.

"It has left a huge hole in the cultural landscape of Greater Manchester.

Valentino's restaurant held the private screening earlier this week (Image: Save Oldham Coliseum)

"The Coliseum was a destination venue bringing people into the town centre and was a big employer for artists and technicians, staff and creatives - off and on stage - and a training ground for many.

"But, most importantly, it was a place of joy, delight and storytelling and connection."

She continued: "Art matters. And art matters especially in towns like Oldham.

"The Coliseum is a place of history, heritage, togetherness, diversity and enormous civic pride.

"There aren't many good news stories right now so just imagine that this could be a good news story for Oldham in 2024 - for the panto to be back in 2025."

The private premiere saw several councillors from across the political spectrum attend, plus trustees and Oldham Coliseum board members.

Actors John Henshaw, Rob Mallard and Mitesh Soni, plus members of the theatre production company Paines Plough were also spotted at the screening.

Our Sleeping Beauty was met with applause and support from campaigners, actors and councillors (Image: Save Oldham Coliseum)

Campaigners say the screening was a success as Our Sleeping Beauty "captured the hearts of everyone in the room" and received a "massive round of applause and plenty of cheering".

Its beautiful cinematography serves as a backdrop to a poignant poem written by Julie herself.

Zoe Hodges brought the film to life with her music composition and she collaborated with Julie as producers of the short film.

The film includes historical footage spanning the Coliseum’s storied past, edited by Andonis Anthony and Grant Archer.

After the screening, Councillor Arooj Shah and Jim McMahon MP delivered passionate words of support.

While campaigners are urging residents to support the new pop-up theatre, Coliseum at the Roundabout, which is opening this weekend in the Civic Centre car park, residents can watch the film via the Save the Coliseum website. 

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.