‘We feel we’re constantly being punished for being in the North’: Maxine Peake on iconic Oldham theatre facing closure

It’s one of the oldest theatres in England but after a decision by the Arts Council not to go on funding it, the Oldham Coliseum says it can’t put on any performances beyond the end of March.

That’s prompted a campaign to save what’s been described as “an essential cog in the cultural landscape of the North West”.

We’ve been to Oldham to meet the people trying to keep the lights on – among them actor Maxine Peake, who spoke exclusively to us.