It's gazebo time...

As the summer is fast approaching we’re getting ready to appear at the first of many events that are happening around Oldham over the spring and summer.

On Saturday members of the Coliseum team will be heading to the Failsworth Carnival to pitch up our new branded gazebo. They’ll be providing some great activities and workshops for kids and there will be lots of staff on hand to talk to the public about what the Coliseum is up to. We’ve recruited the valued help of volunteers, ambassadors and members of the youth steering group to help at the event.

Last year we had a pitch at both Oldham Mela and Oldham People’s Carnival. The Coliseum is a vital part of the community and therefore support these local community events.

After the Failsworth Carnival we’ll be at the Saddleworth Show on the 9th June and at Whit Friday on 1st June (a date is everyone’s calendar I’m sure). We’ll be doing something exciting at separate contest throughout the day; Uppermill, Diggle, Dobcross, and Delph. I can’t say much more than that but if you’re going to be there make sure you look out for us. Delph and Lees bands will be part of our outdoor production Star Cross’d that will be in Alexandra Park this summer.

We’ll also be at the People’s Carnival again on the 24th June which has been taking place since the 1900s and always raises huge amounts of money for charity; it’s one of those events you simply have to be part of.

And on the 8th July there’s the Oldham Mela at Alexandra Park which is a Sanskrit word meaning “to meet”, which is exactly what the Mela offers; a great opportunity for communities to come together in a festival atmosphere to enjoy food, music and dance. They’ll also be extracts of Star-Cross’d on the main stage.

The Coliseum team including volunteers will be at all of these events with a variety of activities. If you’re off to Failsworth on Saturday then make sure you come and find the Coliseum gazebo and say hello. There will also be someone from box office on hand if you would like to buy your tickets there and then.

In the meantime, rehearsals for Dumb Show started this week and the play is already starting to take shape. I also held auditions for Star-Cross’d last week and that’s coming together nicely. There are lots of things to juggle at the moment; brass bands, community chorus, new drafts of the script, Dumb Show rehearsals, signing off the new season brochure, organising season launch and the small matter of making sure the refurbishment is on track. Phew.

See you out and about.

Kevin Shaw
Artistic Director