I went to see the Pitman Painters here and it was nice to see a play which is about a group of artists that formed in a small mining town in another small town, felt slightly closer to the source than I would say in central Manchester or London. It's not the most amazing play or production I've ever seen but it was funny and interesting (I did not know anything about the Ashington Group before I went). The theatre is a good size for a small town as it doesn't take too many people to fill it up but there's still a generous staging space. As others have said the staff are very nice and the toilets hilariously small! I'll definitely keep an eye out for more things on here, it's really easy to get to with the tram stops Oldham Mumps and Oldham Central nearby. read more

Visited the lovely Oldham town centre recently- we had got off the bus at the main station and were looking for the Coliseum. And no-one knew where it was and I mean, we asked four or five different people. Thank god it was on the bus stop map (and we were headed in the right direction anyway) because none of the other signs thought to point to it until we were almost at the door anyway. We quickly discovered that the only people who visit the Oldham Coliseum, at least for the dark melo-drama that we were viewing, are pensioners. Who probably wouldn't be out at night unless going to a play... The theatre itself is surprisingly big - you see it from the street and imagine it quite cosy inside but it does look quite impressive lit up at night, banners waving in the wind. There are stalls and a circle (almost empty when we went) and an impressively large stage. Let down a little by their little refreshments and programme stand as soon as you walk in and tiny, not very nice toilets. The staff were really friendly as we picked up our tickets, pointing out the aisle for our seats and as we were leaving. All in all, an old school venue for some good old fashioned fun (that could do with a lick of paint). read more

Oldham Coliseum Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Oldham, XGM

Tucked away in the side streets is this great Edwardian provincial theatre once well know for its repertory company. Small and intimate with upper stalls the front row virtually touches the stage. Well supported by its local community it is always busy and friendly with a great northern reception from staff. It's bar is a reasonable size, affordable and down to earth. Well worth a visit and now just a few tram stops from central Manchester I know I'll become a regular. read more

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Watching the Christmas play at The Oldham Coliseum is an essential yearly trip. The play varies from year to year, with substantially the same cast we've noticed. The Coliseum is always fighting for it's budget, and this sometimes shows in the costumes where you can see the many items that are reused year to year, but this doesn't really have a negative effect on the performance. It's exactly what you would expect from a small local performance; it's funny and witty, but not always fantastically acted. Recently a key member of staff appeared to be missing and the performer was acting on stage, script ('spell book') in hand! Which was entertaining in itself, but for the wrong reasons. It's worth going to support the local theatre and is still enjoyable if you're expectations aren't too high. read more