Oldham Coliseum Theatre to stay closed until 2021

Bosses at Oldham Coliseum Theatre have announced that it will remain closed to the public until early 2021. 

The town's historic theatre on Fairbottom Street was due to reopen later this month with a season of Covid-secure, socially distanced events before the government announced a second national lockdown, which began on Thursday (5 November) and will last until at least 2 December. 

The festive production of A Christmas Carol has been cancelled and ticket holders will be contacted as soon as possible. 

Drowning, Petrichor, My Voice Was Heard But It Was Ignored and Julie Likes To Draw Squirrels are set to be rescheduled for next year. Ticket holders will be contacted as soon as new dates for the shows have been secured. 

The theatre's festive offers for schools, the Panto Storytelling tour and Panto Box virtual workshop, will still go ahead. 

In a joint statement, Artistic Director Chris Lawson and Chief Executive Susan Wildman said: "We are devastated not to be reopening this November, following months of preparations to make the Coliseum Covid-secure, and having been so excited to welcome our audiences back for a season of which we were truly proud.  

"We are already planning some fantastic opportunities audiences can look forward to, which will in turn continue to provide opportunities for freelance artists." 

With the help of audiences and businesses, the theatre has raised almost £40,000 through their #GetBehindUs crowdfunder. 

The statement added: "We have been truly heartened by the support we have received and we will ensure that this money is utilised to help secure the future of our beloved theatre, so that the Coliseum will still be here to support the people of Oldham for generations to come. If you would like to, you can still contribute to our #GetBehindUs campaign at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/get-behind-us." 

The box office phone line was closed from 4pm on Wednesday and its team will return to mostly working from home.

Throughout November, the Box Office will be open for phone enquiries only on Mondays from 10am – 3pm. Alternatively the theatre can be contacted by emailing boxoffice@coliseum.org.uk.