Lisa Burns went to the Oldham Coliseum Theatre to see Ladies That Dig, which is currently touring the North West.
I visit many theatres and venues throughout the year, each one has something special to give, but one which holds a special place in my heart is Oldham Coliseum.
The future looks very bleak for this gem of a theatre, so it was with a heavy heart that I visited recently to watch what may well be one of the last shows to grace the stage.
Ladies That Dig is snapshot of what life is like for women who enjoy getting out and about in their allotments.
Ladies That Dig is based on a series of interviews, workshops, and chats on the theme of ‘digging.’
We meet a group of women who meet regularly to discuss their lives and what is going on in their gardens, allotments and the great outdoors.
The cast of just four, including writer Joyce Branagh, Riana Duce, Lisa Howard and Helen Longworth, portray a myriad of characters who all have one thing in common - the love of getting their hands dirty to grow vegetables, flowers, fruit and even going out and about with a metal detector or grave digging.
This witty play had the audience roaring with laughter one minute, and tapping along to some jaunty tunes the next.
It also touched on the heartstrings with some emotional scenes, including the loss of a loved one.
The Coliseum has struggled to fill the seats over recent years, so it was ironic that this little play packed the auditorium - if only it could have been like that for the many shows the theatre has staged over the years.
Ladies That Dig is touring across the North West, finishing off at the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal on March 8-9.
