Ian Flintoff will raise £1,000 to help save the Coliseum if other Guardian readers join the cause. Plus a letter from David Edwards Hulme
In response to your editorial about the likely closure of the Oldham Coliseum (The Guardian view on theatres in crisis: a moment to take stock, 3 February), I personally undertake to raise £1,000 for the theatre by April, if other Guardian readers will raise further help – they can email me at [email protected]
Some years ago, when I was acting at the Chester Gateway, we, the cast, were summoned to be told that the theatre was going to close through withdrawal of grants. We began a campaign, called Ajar, to keep the Gateway open. We did regular morris dancing, staged late-night cabaret, produced a newspaper, gave out leaflets, spoke to everyone we could (including the local MP) and were supported by Coronation Street cast members. Finally, we, the Equity cast, were able to rehire and pay our brilliant director, Chris Honer, and the theatre stayed open. Embarrassment in turn led to the grants being restored.
