When it was announced that Oldham Coliseum would close its doors for the final time in March 2023 it felt like more than just the end of an era. It felt like something had died, like a whole town was crying, as if the arts community had had another piece of its soul snatched from it for good… only what if it wasn’t for good? What if a small group of people sat in different corners of the room at that first Equity meeting all got together, with their various skillsets and knowledge and tried to reverse the decision?
In a room above Valentino’s - an Italian restaurant in the centre of Oldham – a group formed. Together they discussed the options, came up with creative ways to campaign as well as penning letters to councillors and MPs. The group also applied for the Coliseum building to become an asset of community value as it explored all avenues on the road to rescuing the heart of the community.
The flash mob felt like the campaign’s first public outing. An event which marked what should have been the opening day of Panto saw campaigners dress up as pirates and princesses, cows and kings, and parade through the streets, keeping the memory of the Oldham Coliseum alive in people’s hearts and minds. A dash of colour on a grey day, a glimmer of hope in a bleak situation. The doors were still closed but the campaign group was making just enough noise to render it impossible for the council and the media to ignore.
At the time, Julie Hesmondhalgh spoke of the need for positivity in the campaign, to look forward and not back: “We’re not trying to blame anybody, what we’re trying to do now is say, how can we work together to create a really good news story for Oldham?”
That too was the moment that campaigners began to build an unbreakable friendship that looked set to last a lifetime.
The event was as successful as could be expected, the media took note, the public joined in, and some doors were beginning to open. The fortnightly meetings resumed, together the group discussed strategies and next steps as they looked to meet with the board and the council. It was a big game of chess - artsy chess.
The group began to plan their next event as the one-year anniversary loomed of the Coliseum closing. The film ‘Our Sleeping Beauty’ featuring a poem written by Julie began to take shape. Filming took place outside the Coliseum and at a local school, archive footage was provided and famous faces with a connection to the theatre sent their kisses. All the while connections were being made as the campaign group began to work with new Coliseum board and the council invited the group in to listen to their ideas.
The council allowed the campaign group inside the theatre. A former employee who had been present throughout the refurbishment back in 2012 talked to council officers and MP Jim McMahon about the history of the building and the capabilities of its fly tower, explaining the differences between the old theatre and the proposed new build.
By the time the film debuted at Valentino’s in April, everyone was listening to what the Save Oldham Coliseum group had to say. The momentum continued, the positive conversations continued, and eventually a breakthrough was made.
July 8th was just the start, as a new chapter in Oldham Coliseum’s story begins.
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