Oldham Coliseum is launching new monthly gatherings to discuss arts and culture over the nation’s favourite snack, chips - though for the moment you have to stay at home to eat them. And buy your own...
Open to anyone - Coliseum fan or not - Culture and Chips is for talking about what people want to see on the Coliseum stage, and how the theatre can best suit local needs.
Every month the Coliseum will invite guests from the area to talk about what they do, their connection to Oldham and their vision for the future, though topics will be set by those present - presumably with salt and vinegar…
When it is safe to hold meetings in person the Coliseum will provide the chips for the meet-ups, to boost the relaxed atmosphere, but under the current coronavirus restrictions, you’ll be eating home alone - and supplying your own edibles.
The first Culture and Chips session, conducted virtually on Zoom, is on December 16 at 5pm. Tickets are free but must be booked through the Coliseum website here.
:: Another Coliseum innovation this December is Advent Plays (Dec 1-24), 24 short plays by 14 writers performed by 25 actors and streamed to audiences free.
The Advent Plays will be released one a day in the run-up to Christmas, all on a Christmas theme and lasting about two and half minutes. All were filmed on the theatre stage, on a special living room set.
Writers include Cathy Crabb and Rob Ward and among the performers are Karen Henthorn, Joyce Branagh and Oldham panto hit Mitesh Soni.
Subscribers to the Coliseum YouTube channel will receive a notification each morning when the day's play becomes available, but you can also see them on the Coliseum's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels.