Oldham Coliseum Theatre
Oldham Coliseum Theatre
Oldham Coliseum Theatre
4.5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
Located in the very heart of Oldham, the Coliseum Theatre is venerable building with a history stretching back to 1885.We serve a vibrant cross section of the community with an award winning selection of comedy, drama & traditional panto. The history of Oldham Coliseum Theatre spans a period of 128 years making it one of the oldest theatres in Britain still operating today. The theatre is also widely considered as the true home of traditional pantomime and produces a new production each year attracting delighted audiences of over 35,000. The Coliseum Theatre dates back to 1885 when it began life as the Grand American Circus and Hippodrome. Situated in the heart of Oldham and surrounded by almost a dozen other theatres, almost 125 years later, the award winning Coliseum is the only surviving theatre in the town. The Coliseum stage has seen countless performers over the years from comedy greats Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel to fledgling movie stars such as Ralph Fiennes and Minnie Driver. Many of the stars of Manchester staple Coronation Street have also cut their teeth treading the boards at the Coliseum. Oldham Coliseum Theatre is one of the most established and well attended venues in the North West where it produces eight in-house shows each year. It is also operates as a receiving house for touring productions, visiting companies and special one-night events. The Coliseum as we know it today has recently undergone a £1.5M facelift and renovation with improved seating, heating and front of house facilities bringing the venue up-to-date with modern theatre-goers' demands. The auditorium has a capacity of 524 seats, in addition the theatre has a studio space with a more intimate capacity of 50 seats. The inhouse and touring productions seen on the main stage each year offer a balanced programme of drama, comedy, musical, new writing and the annual pantomime.
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4.5
277 reviews
Excellent
197
Very good
66
Average
11
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Airole H
1 contribution
Dec 2022 • Friends
According to someone I know who worked here, it was run like a playground in the way that there was whispering, favouritism and isolation of individuals. l’m not shocked on its closure although this was an external reason. It’s a shame as it was a lovely building for a theatre. Hopefully there will be fresh management in the new venue
Written 29 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dom E
1 contribution
Aug 2022 • Friends
Great venue great staff and fine performances love my visit. True traditional theatre. Can’t wait to visit again in the future.
Written 25 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven L
Oldham, UK72 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Wife bought tickets for Calling Planet Earth. This is an eight piece band who perform hits of the 80’s. If you like Spandau Ballet, ABC, Duran Duran this is a must. Excellent show, the lady singer/saxophone player was amazing. Thanks for a great night.
Written 28 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew M
Manchester, UK20 contributions
Apr 2022
Went to see Jungle book yesterday April 23rd 2022, Absolutely fantastic performance. the Children around the whole theatre were totally engaged with the performance, and so were the adults. The venue is compact and i guess the furthest away anyone is from the stage is no more than a few hundred feet, giving overall great views from where you may be sitting, It's only downfall is the price of the Alcohol, This time i didn't partake, because last time a bottle of wine cost in the region of £20, which effectively means many people on returning if they fancy an alcoholic drink, they will either have one before the show, or skip out at the interval to a local pub, as yesterday, there was approx a 30 min interval, giving people plenty of time to exit have a drink elsewhere and return. Having worked in the restaurant and bar industry for over 30 years, it never ceases to amaze me, that if businesses offered better competitive prices, more people would return on a far more regular basis.
Written 24 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lLevidoll
West Yorkshire, UK65 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Great evening watching Jungle Book. Fabulous cast and so enjoyable to watch. Quite different from most other ‘pro’ shows but intriguing/fascinating and utterly brilliant!
The set was cutting edge and there wasn’t a weak link in the whole cast!
The set was cutting edge and there wasn’t a weak link in the whole cast!
Written 9 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steven b
Oldham, UK786 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
A Saturday evening at the Coliseum,an evening with Russell kane..this was a rescheduled show,from April 2020.
We arrived early & decided on having a quick drink in the bar,just a larger shandy & a martini with lemonade £8,20 (Wow) quick tip,go across the road,cheaper there..
We finished our drinks & took our seats,row C 10/11.stalls great seats,we could almost touch the stage,bonus someone didn't turn up,so no one sat in front of us.
I can't remember the name of the guy who was supporting Russell, but a great warm up..
Then the main event,Russell Kane,such an energetic entertaining comedian,with such quick whips,the man is a genius of comedy...
The Coliseum is our local theatre,great for all staged entertainment,we have been here on many occasions...
Although it's not a new building,it has caricture.
Parking is just around the corner,but if your a regular visitor you already know this..
Next time is pantomime...see you then.
We arrived early & decided on having a quick drink in the bar,just a larger shandy & a martini with lemonade £8,20 (Wow) quick tip,go across the road,cheaper there..
We finished our drinks & took our seats,row C 10/11.stalls great seats,we could almost touch the stage,bonus someone didn't turn up,so no one sat in front of us.
I can't remember the name of the guy who was supporting Russell, but a great warm up..
Then the main event,Russell Kane,such an energetic entertaining comedian,with such quick whips,the man is a genius of comedy...
The Coliseum is our local theatre,great for all staged entertainment,we have been here on many occasions...
Although it's not a new building,it has caricture.
Parking is just around the corner,but if your a regular visitor you already know this..
Next time is pantomime...see you then.
Written 10 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
countydownrose81
Manchester49 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Went to see the Greatest Play last night Brilliant one woman show with the amazing Julie Hesmondhalgh Very engaging performance.
Just wanted to mention how helpful and friendly all the theatre staff and volunteers were.It felt very covid safe well organised and we really felt like VIPs Hopefully Julie will be playing to a packed audience before long
Just wanted to mention how helpful and friendly all the theatre staff and volunteers were.It felt very covid safe well organised and we really felt like VIPs Hopefully Julie will be playing to a packed audience before long
Written 26 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Manc traveller
Bolton, UK28 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
This is the first time I have visited the Oldham Colleseum. This small theatre has a lot of Victorian charm with 586 seats on three levels. Unfortunately not a lot of leg room on the upper Circle, but I suppose this is to be expected with a theatre of this age. Most shows have half time intervals which is a good chance to stretch the legs and visit the bar. We watched a brilliantly funny show called Crooners. I will definitely be visiting this place again.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marko1Oldham
Oldham, UK19 contributions
Jun 2019
Been here lots of times, great night out, great bar, lovely theatre, even bumped into Noddy Holder, from Slade.
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Y7288BLpeterm
10 contributions
Dec 2019
I have visited this theatre on many occasions,and each time I have been impressed with the quality and proffessionalism of the entertainment.the variety of the shows caters for all tastes,from serious plays through pantomime and musical shows.ask Bernard Cribbins and many more famous Oldham stars!
Written 13 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you see from row C upper circle
steven b
Oldham, UK786 contributions
I guess you mean the stage,yeah i'd have thought so,it's not that big a theatre..
ritzy41
3 contributions
Hi i have never been to this theatre before if the upper circle very steep ? Thanks
melanielivesey84
Manchester, UK208 contributions
The upper circle is quite small. Not steep though.a bit of a slant.
Charlotte W
50 contributions
With the planned redevelopment of Oldham will it be knocked down? I sincerely hope not.
John F
Oldham, UK86 contributions
I’ve heard it is going to be. And recommissioned at a new place in the town center.
Ark38
Oswestry, UK12 contributions
My wife and I are looking to see a show in January and plan to stay overnight. Can anyone recommend a hotel which is close by which we can can use via a taxi or even walk. We will be travelling up from Oswestry. Cheers
Andy
Hello there
There aren't any hotels in central Manchester. There are a few Travelodges and Premier Inns dotted about the Oldham vicinity - one in Chadderton and one near Elk Mill Retail Park. If you fancied seeing the beautiful Peak District, we can recommend you googling Saddleworth (the moors up the hill from us) and that will bring up some old inns and B&Bs which might take your fancy. All are within a taxi journey from us.
reveclipse
Lancashire England219 contributions
I presume the restricted view behind the pillars are quite poor ?
Paul H
Oldham, UK
Hello there - sorry I missed your question. Give our Box Office staff a ring as they'll be able to answer you on a seat by seat basis. We've got an old auditorium (the seats are very comfortable) and restricted views were common back then. Box Office will be able to help you.
kimberleywoodward77
Langho, UK10 contributions
can you see from the front row of the upper circle and is it suitable for children?
Paul H
Oldham, UK
Hello there Kimberly you can see very well from the upper circle front row. Our friendly box office team are very happy to answer any questions you've got about the suitability of the show for different age ranges of children for each show so you can give them a ring on 0161 624 2829. Thanks for your enquiry.
catherine c
1 contribution
What is the upper tier like? Is there any restrictions on the view?
Paul H
Oldham, UK
Hello there Kimberly you can see very well from the upper circle front row. Our friendly box office team are very happy to answer any questions you've got about the suitability of the show for different age ranges of children for each show so you can give them a ring on 0161 624 2829. Thanks for your enquiry.
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