The unusual way people are planning to highlight the closure of a much-loved Greater Manchester landmark

Members of the community in Oldham are being invited to take part in a flash mob outside the town’s Coliseum theatre. The event is part of the on-going campaign to save the theatre, which has stood for nearly 140 years. 

The Coliseum closed its doors back in March after its funding was withdrawn from Arts Council England. Campaigners have said that it is a true focal point of the community in Oldham, and want to see it remain open. 

Plans for a new theatre in Oldham have been put forward by the council. However, these have been deemed to be inadequate by campaigners. 

The flash mob is being advertised as a lively way to show support. People are being asked to meet outside the theatre at 3.30pm on Saturday November 11. 

Participants will be wearing colourful costumes, brandishing banners, handing out badges and decorating the gathering with balloons. The event will also see some attendees dressing up as beloved pantomime characters and dames, creating a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere- those attending are invited to join in with this. 

Actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, best known for her role as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, is one of several names from the acting world to throw her support behind keeping the theatre open. 

She said: “Far from being over, the passion and enthusiasm to save the historic and wonderful Coliseum and reinstate it as a producing theatre - the jewel in Oldham’s crown - is growing in momentum.

"I feel very proud to be campaigning alongside artists and audiences to restart a conversation about saving the theatre, at a fraction of the millions of what the proposed new build would cost.”

Julie is one of dozens of big names from the acting world to express support for the Coliseum. Others include Sir Ian McKellen, Jim Broadbent and Jim Carter OBE.