The iconic Coliseum Theatre has confirmed with ‘deep sadness’ that it will be closing in two weeks despite a passionate campaign backed by actors and residents to save it.
In a statement released today (March 16), the theatre company stated that the doors to the historic venue on Fairbottom Street would close to the public for the final time on March 31.
It follows the decision by Arts Council England (ACE) in November to drop the Coliseum from its funding portfolio for the next three years after the body deemed it ‘high risk’, raising concerns about its’ financial management, leadership and governance.
The funding cut – which was a third of the income for the Coliseum – meant the financial situation was ‘not sustainable for the current continuation of the business’, theatre chiefs said.
The Coliseum dates back to 1885, beginning life as the Colosseum in the town centre and by the 21st century had become the only surviving professional theatre in the town.
READ MORE: Crunch talks with Arts Council fail to find solution to save Coliseum Theatre
In a statement the Coliseum said: “We know the theatre’s closure is deeply upsetting for our audiences and participants, not least because of the joyful memories that hundreds of thousands of people from across the North West have of visiting the Coliseum to get involved in projects or to experience our home-produced plays, musicals and award-winning pantomimes.
“The Coliseum has been at the heart of theatre in Oldham for over 100 years and has survived two World Wars and a global pandemic.
“Our theatre company has a highly regarded history in the industry dating back to the Oldham Rep, which launched the careers of many famous faces. This tradition has continued in recent years, actors from Coliseum productions of the past decade now regulars on our television screens.
“We would like to thank the unions Equity and BECTU for their vocal and passionate support and for highlighting the importance of producing theatre for actors and theatre workers as well as audiences and communities.
“The outpouring of love for the theatre over the past weeks has been overwhelming, demonstrating the Coliseum’s impact on the communities of Oldham and further afield.
“To our audiences, industry colleagues, partners, sponsors, funders, patrons and friends – we cannot thank you enough for your support over more than a century of theatre.”
Despite its small size of just 585 seats, it has an illustrious CV of past performers, from comedy titans such as Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel, to modern movie stars Ralph Fiennes and Minnie Driver.
A consultation on redundancies of its 70 staff concluded on March 13, the theatre company confirmed. Redundancies are being supported by Arts Council England’s transition funding of £358,856k.
“The Coliseum is not the historic building so many have come to adore, it is the company that runs it and the people who fill its halls with memories,” the company added.
“Many of our team have lived in Oldham all their lives and worked with the company for over a decade, bringing immense benefit to the town – not just in creating and presenting great theatre – but in offering opportunity and inspiration to all of Oldham’s communities.”
Amidst the upheaval this winter, the theatre’s general manager Lesley Chenery also suddenly passed away. Described as the ‘backbone’ of the Coliseum, Lesley worked as head of production for several years and returned this January to steer the company in the aftermath of losing its funding. Bosses say her passing will now ‘forever be entwined in memory with the closure of the company’.
A public meeting at the Fairbottom Street theatre in February organised by the performance union Equity saw 400 people turn out to support the Oldham venue – with northern actors Maxine Peake, Paul Hilton, Julie Hesmondhalgh, John Henshaw and Christopher Biggins all campaigning to keep it alive.
Last month Oldham’s cabinet agreed to ‘recommit’ to the development of a replacement new theatre in the borough at a cost of £24.5m – but the venue wouldn’t open until 2026, with a planning application expected in the summer.
Councillors have also formally accepted £1.84m of Arts Council England funding to provide cultural activity for the next three years.
However at a full council meeting on Wednesday night, Councillor Elaine Taylor, cabinet member for culture and leisure and deputy leader said: “We don’t have the ability to transfer this money wholly to the Coliseum to replace their lost funding.
“But we are continuing to have conversations with a range of arts organisations, including the Coliseum, about how we might use that money to ensure that we have continued performance in Oldham and to make sure that we can build new audiences to make sure we have a successful and viable theatre going forwards.”
She added: “When the National Portfolio Organisation decision was announced in November we expected the Coliseum to carry on operating, presumably so did they because they put the tickets on sale for the pantomime.
“However it quickly became clear that the operation was not financially viable without the Arts Council England funding and unfortunately the Coliseum Board made the decision to close their doors.
“We continue to work with the Coliseum Board to shape what their role might be in the new theatre and hope a way can be found that protects the artistic legacy of the Coliseum and maintains a producing theatre company in Oldham.”
The current Fairbottom Street theatre has been deemed ‘beyond its expected lifespan’ and a survey carried out in January uncovered ‘numerous’ urgent health safety works.
Coun Taylor confirmed that asbestos does remain a problem throughout the venue , and though safe while undisturbed, would be an issue in the case of any renovation works.
The costs of bringing the building up standard and adding in the elements needed for a modern theatre would be more than the cost of the new theatre, she said.
Over the coming weeks we will continue to present the remainder of events currently on sale up to and including Saturday 25 March. We are also considering possible opportunities to mark the closing of the Coliseum and any details of such events will be announced in due course.
In a statement, an Arts Council spokesperson said: “Oldham Coliseum Ltd’s closure is upsetting news for many and devastating for its staff.
“We are providing funding to ensure the company can pay full redundancies to its employed and freelance staff and that it can honour any outstanding contracts and agreements.
“Whilst recognising the current difficulties, we are supportive of Oldham Council’s plans for a new performing space which will carry forward Oldham Coliseum’s cultural legacy.
“We will be investing £1.85 million in the borough so that the people of Oldham will still have the opportunity to enjoy and take part in arts and culture.”
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