July 2024

The Coliseum Theatre in Oldham has been saved from closure, following a campaign that has garnered high profile support. The historic venue in the Greater Manchester town has helped several famous names make the transition from acting schools to roles on stage in quality productions.

The Manchester Evening News reports that the campaign was led by the actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, who is best known for her roles in Coronation Street and the recent ITV drama about the Post Office IT scandal. Several other well-known names including Maxine Peake, Christopher Eccleston, and Dame Sian Phillips have also given their support.

The 135 year old Coliseum was shut in April 2023 after Arts Council England withdrew its funding, and the local council declared that it was not fit for purpose. There were plans to replace the building with a new smaller arts and cultural venue with no theatre, but now these plans have been shelved in favour of a £10m revamp of the existing theatre.

Hesmondhalgh said: “I think this is a huge step in the right direction. Not just for the art and culture in town but across the board because any Northern town needs a heart at the centre of it. This is a cause for celebration for so many people who have come together to show their passion for the theatre and bringing the Oldham Coliseum back to life.”

She added: “Oldham Council has shown a fantastic commitment to re-opening the Coliseum, and by working together, we can really put arts and culture at the heart of a transformed town centre. It feels like the start of a new, exciting era and it’s one that has been driven by the people of Oldham.”

Jim McMahon MP, who has also played a key role in the Coliseum’s re-opening, said: “This investment, working alongside a model that brings local arts organisations and local people together with a shared stake in its future, will help secure not only this fantastic building with its amazing heritage but also the future of producing theatre in this borough.”

Local theatre is a crucial part of the cultural fabric, providing an opportunity for aspiring actors to gain experience, or simply to provide roles for people who juggle acting with another career or family responsibilities. It also brings together the local community, putting on a diverse range of productions from pantos to weighty dramas.

The world of acting and performing arts can be very London-centric in the UK, so it’s important for talented actors, writers and directors who live in or around regional cities such as Manchester and Liverpool to have access to cultural venues. Without them, the British dramatic arts sector would be missing some of its most gifted stars. 

Regional theatres also help to boost the local economy by drawing visitors to the town, who not only see the performance but stay in the hotels and eat in the restaurants and bars. Therefore the closure of a venue can have a knock-on impact on the whole leisure and hospitality sector of a region.

British television shows are highly regarded around the world for their creativity and quality. From classic dramas to surreal comedy and long-running soaps, British TV has always been fertile ground for aspiring thespians. Over the last few years, British TV has entered a new golden age, and anyone currently taking acting classes is surely paying careful attention!

Here’s a look at some of the current trends in British TV and emerging opportunities for actors. 

The golden age of crime dramas

Crime dramas have always been a perennial favourite of British TV, but the past few years have seen a conveyor belt of quality productions such as Line of Duty, Peaky Blinders, The Fall, Happy Valley, Broadchurch and more. They have garnered millions of fans and worldwide audiences. 

These series have all hit a winning formula of gripping plots, authentic settings, strong emotional cores, and of course excellent performances. With plenty more crime series in the pipeline, this is a rich seam for aspiring actors to tap into. 

Such shows often have lead characters that are complex and sometimes even morally ambiguous, providing substantial and demanding roles for talented actors. Often crime dramas run into multiple series, so they provide actors with much-prized security and continuity in their careers. 

Genre blending formats

Hybrid formats have come into the spotlight in recent years, blending different genres in creative ways, and the Brits are producing some of the best examples in TV. For example, there’s the long running Dr Who series that is constantly reinventing itself for new audiences. It blends science fiction with action adventure and appeals to kids, teens and adults alike.

Sherlock is another good example; it is based on the classic crime novels by Arthur Conan Doyle, but is set in the modern day and combines elements of drama, science fiction, and innovations such as on-screen graphics to provide an insight into Sherlock’s Byzantine thought processes.

Hybrid shows offer opportunities for actors who enjoy pushing the boundaries of their craft and are comfortable with adapting between different styles of acting.

Historical and period dramas

Period dramas are the bread and butter of British TV, and over the years there have been hundreds of adaptations of classic novels and originally scripted dramas. Such shows often have very large and diverse casts, with opportunities across all age ranges, social groups and physical types. 

Recent years have seen the huge popularity of shows such as Bridgerton and The Crown, following on from the success of Downton Abbey and Poldark. They offer the chance for high-profile roles that allow an actor to delve deep into different periods of history and social and political attitudes. 

Contemporary dramas

The past few years have seen hit TV shows by a new generation of writers, such as Killing Eve, I May Destroy You, It’s A Sin and Normal People. These provide challenging roles for ambitious actors who enjoy tackling contemporary issues with complex storylines, and can produce subtle and nuanced performances.