A Bolton born celebrity and television star has backed calls to save Oldham Coliseum saying local theatre is a "vital human need" for creatives and aspiring performers.

Maxine Peake is a famous actress best known for her roles as Twinkle in the BBC One sitcom, Dinnerladies, and as Veronica Ball in Channel 4's hit comedy-drama and Manchester classic, Shameless.

The veteran television legend is now backing calls to 'save' Oldham Coliseum from a potential tragedy.

Although it has not announced closure, the theatre revealed this week that it has been forced to cancel all of its shows for the remainder of the year following a shock funding rejection from Arts Council England (ACE).

 

While its future remains uncertain, residents from across Oldham as well as creatives in the industry and local celebs have been backing calls to see the theatre with more support to weather the storm.

Maxine was quick to add her name to the ever-growing list and in an exclusive interview with The Oldham Times, she called on "the powers that be" to intervene.

The actress said her own career was inspired by local theatre, having grown up in a satellite town in Greater Manchester, similar to Oldham.

The 48-year-old explained: "Local theatre is what gave me the idea that it could be possible to go into the arts.

"You can't beat sitting in a theatre.

"I remember my first time going to Oldham to watch LipService with Diane Morgan", an actress who is best known for playing Philomena Cunk on Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe and for her role as Kath in the Netflix series, After Life.

Maxine continued: "We got the train from Bolton to Oldham and that was the first time we went and it was so exciting.

"Maggie Fox and Sue Ryding were inspirational to us.

"Where else can you see that at your local?"

She said theatres are "beacons" and reflected on the time when towns were once brimming with music halls and theatres, "but now we're struggling just to keep one going", she added.

 

Maxine said Oldham has turned out a "plethora" of amazing actors and creatives, such as Olivia Cooke, Lisa Riley, Paul Hilton, Will Ash, Matthew Johnson and Nicola Stephenson, to name just a few.

Maxine said: "The list goes on and on.

"Instead of crushing that, we should be building on it."

Maxine also had a lot of praise for the Coliseum's associate director, Chris Lawson, for what he has managed to achieve and said it was "ironic" that he was planning on putting up the first stage production of I, Daniel Blake, for it to now be canceled due to a loss of funds.

But Maxine said it's not "just" about the next generation of celebrities and actors the Coliseum could bring but what theatre means for the Oldham community in bringing people together.

 

She explained: "There's the saying 'you can't be what you can't see' and we all need a mirror to reflect back on and to be a part of stories and to watch stories that we feel we are a part of.

"Between eating, warmth and a roof over our head, being able to tell stories and entertain is vital for human need.

"We're not just talking about northerners but about people who come into the community - it's not necessarily about people who are born and bred in Oldham."

Maxine said the Coliseum has become a hub of diversity and shared experiences, from women creatives to the Roma community and beyond who can "come together and celebrate their culture in a safe space".

"Where will that happen? It's so important in these times that we have spaces that bring people together rather than push people apart.

"It's not just about becoming an artist or becoming an actor or becoming a crew member or creative, it's about what that access can do as an encouragement for other walks of life.

"It's a training ground for future talent.

"It's a real lifeline to people to have a creative outlet, whether or not that leads to a career."

 

The actress is now calling on the authorities to support the theatre.

She said: "It feels like it's a huge blow to Oldham and I hope that the powers that be realise it.

"It's really devastating from the Arts Council but it's up to the council to invest in the theatre.

"I know it's an old building and works will be needed but it's not just about the actors - it's the crew, the creative team, the cleaner, the employees - it employs a lot of people from around the surrounding communities.

"It just feels, to me, that it might not be the top of their agenda but I just think the council really need to get behind it.

"I just hope they are going to be able to solve it and save it."