Oldham Coliseum Cancels Macbeth in Nightclub, Refunds Tickets

Oldham Coliseum Theatre has cancelled the rest of its Macbeth, which was being staged in the town's last remaining nightclub. Previews began at Liquid and Envy on 23 October, and the run had been due to continue until 7 November.

The theatre apologised and said all ticket holders will automatically receive full refunds. Cast and crew will be paid in line with their contracts.

"We are very sorry to have cancelled Macbeth, and we recognise the disappointment this has caused audiences and the wider Oldham community," a theatre spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that cancelling a production is never easy, especially after so much work has gone into it, and that more information would be shared as soon as possible.

Council wants answers

Oldham Council said it was disappointed. It will work with the Coliseum's board to better understand the "unforeseen circumstances" behind the decision. A council spokesperson said it wanted ticket holders to be reimbursed promptly and cast and crew to receive appropriate support.

Former Coronation Street actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, who recently appeared in the BBC's Celebrity Traitors, is also offering refunds. She had run a GoFundMe appeal to help people who could not afford tickets. It raised £1,855 from 53 donations, and an earlier update said the money would let more than 70 people attend. Hesmondhalgh apologised and asked donors to contact her directly to arrange a full refund.

The production was directed by Nick Bagnall. It was set in the 1970s, with the nightclub turned into a world of gangsters and casinos. Before the cancellation, Bagnall had said: "I want to blow the dust off Shakespeare."

The theatre said the rest of its autumn and winter programme will go ahead as planned at venues across Oldham. The Coliseum's permanent building on Fairbottom Street is being refurbished. It is expected to reopen in 2027, after an additional £7m was agreed to pay for essential work.

Source: BBC News