Oldham Coliseum has cancelled all of its shows after 26 March following the loss of its Arts Council England funding last year.
The theatre normally receives more than £600,000 a year, but now its future is in doubt despite Oldham being a priority in the government’s Levelling Up agenda.
Shows such as a stage adaptation of Ken Loach’s film I, Daniel Blake and the Christmas pantomime have all been cancelled.
In a statement, the theatre said it had been “working hard to find a solution”, such as placing pantomime tickets on sale early and pushing forward the announcement of their spring-summer season.
But it said “the current financial situation is not sustainable for the season as planned”.
The statement continued: “It has been an incredibly difficult decision to cancel the programme of events and we understand the disappointment this will undoubtedly cause.”
Alongside performances, the Coliseum is only one of 32 regularly producing theatres in England.
It is also a hub for development, supporting local artists and performers with creative opportunities to progress their careers.
Artistic director, Chris Lawson, said: “We’re in a town where we feel we’re particularly needed.”
Many have taken to social media to voice their opinions on the historic theatre going dark.
Actress Maxine Peake said the news was “devastating” while Labour MP Lisa Nandy, Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, said: “Theatres like the Oldham Coliseum are part of our civic inheritance. Slogans like Levelling Up mean nothing when a theatre that allowed a Lancashire town to shape our national story is going dark.”
Amanda Chadderton, Oldham council leader, has said the council will be working with the theatre to find the best way forward.
Main picture: www.dronsfield.com
