Oldham Coliseum Cancels Shows Due To Arts Council Funding Cut

As a result of the 100% funding cut from Arts Council England (ACE), Oldham Coliseum has cancelled all of its events from late March onwards.

The cancellations include their spring and summer programme, which contained shows such as a stage adaptation of the Ken Loach film I, Daniel Blake, along with their pantomime of Sleeping Beauty. The theatre will be dark from 26 March, and there is no indication when it could reopen.

Oldham is one of the north-west’s major employers within the theatre industry. The Coliseum opened in 1885 and it is one of only 32 regularly producing theatres in England.

Oldham Coliseum will no longer be a National Portfolio Organisation as of 1 April, having been unsuccessful in their application for £615,182 a year over three years. Other cancelled shows include the musical Little Mermaid, York Theatre Royal’s Around the World in 80 Days and Abigail’s Party from London Classic Theatre. Ticketholders for all events will be refunded over the coming weeks.

The board of trustees and senior leadership team of the Coliseum issued a statement saying that they “have been working hard to find a solution” following the removal of its ACE funding. They have said that “the current financial situation is not sustainable for the season as planned. We are working with ACE and Oldham council to honour agreements with artists and producing partners.”

Words by Jess Boot-Cowie

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