The pantos playing on at Oldham Coliseum

The Oldham Coliseum's doors may be closed but there's plenty of festive treats for all ages available online over Christmas.

Plus, if you’re looking for something fun to do with the family, #ColiseumCreates is a series of fun activities designed by the theatre’s Learning and Engagement Team.

Streaming now, Panto Digital Storytelling shows until Saturday, January 2, and you can choose between Cinderella or Jack and the Beanstalk.

Filmed on the Coliseum stage, Panto Digital Storytelling is a fun-packed solo retelling of your favourite panto stories, with plenty of opportunities for children to join in as these much-loved Coliseum panto characters tell their famous tales as you’ve never heard them before – from their own perspective.

Coliseum panto favourite Shorelle Hepkin reprises her role of Cinderella from the 2018 pantomime production and Oldham panto legend Richard J Fletcher returns as Dame Dotty Trott following his triumphant Dame Debut in 2019’s Jack and the Beanstalk (following 10 years as the Coliseum’s high-flying Panto Comic).

Panto Digital Storytelling is suitable for children under 10 and their families. A ticket grants access to the online video until midnight on the day of booking. Bookers will be sent a Print at Home PDF ticket containing a unique link to the video and a password to watch.

Meanwhile you can also enjoy Oldham’s annual Reindeer Parade Trail.

The Coliseum is playing a part in the reindeer parade

Usually the parade marks the start of festive season in the town centre. This year, Oldham has a wonderful Reindeer Parade Trail with 10 specially designed reindeer sculptures to boost festive cheer.

Celia Perkins, the designer of the theatre’s annual pantomime, created a Coliseum reindeer – Daisy Deer – which you can find in the show-flower bed opposite Spindles. Daisy is inspired by the pantomime cow, and looks brilliant.

Each 5ft high reindeer in the parade trail has its own name and theme, so be on the lookout for them and uncover their stories.

The Coliseum would also like to say a huge thank you to everyone who got behind their first ever Crowdfunder.

The fundraiser, entitled #GetBehindUs, raised a phenomenal £53,907. 

A spokesperson for the theatre said they did not expect such a level of wonderful support and  want to send the biggest thank you to everyone who helped towards this.

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STILL STREAMING... Oh yes they are. Coliseum favourites Shorelle Hepkin and Richard J Fletcher can be enjoyed online now.