After a period of quiet following the salvation of Oldham's Coliseum theatre, the company has announced its first production of 2025.
The Engagement Party, by afshan d'souza-lodhl, will play at Oldham's Queen Elizabeth Hall (a large civic auditorium with a stage) from February 18-22 and the thatre is looking for local people to be part of the show's "community cast".
In the show, nature-loving lad and foodie, Zack and Sofia, a passionate girl who loves the bright lights of the big city with her vegan burger, first cross paths in a chicken shop in Oldham. As their relationship flourishes, so do their differences. Guests start to gather for their engagement and the pair are nowhere to be seen. Tensions rise and the crowd becomes restless. The live band and entertainment play on regardless, but will a heated showdown between friends and family lead to disaster? Will love conquer all, or will their differences kill their romance?
The immersive performance has a cast of professional actors who will be joined by the community cast of party guests. The unpaid community performers don’t need acting experience: they will act as a group and the height of their acting skills will be to frown, smile and so on.
Volunteers (who need to live in the Oldham area and be 18 or older), must attend one of two open casting sessions next Tuesday (December 10) or on January 11. Successful volunteers will need to be available for three rehearsals between January 27-February 15, then for three or four performances between February 18-22. Though there will be no performing payment, those selected will receive travel expenses or shopping vouchers as a thank you.
More info and an online form (which must be completed by Friday) here