At the “Craft Brew” event, taking place at Oldham’s Library Performance Space on Saturday, March 29, audience members will see extracts of work-in-progress from four artists and then get the chance to ask them all about it.
The Coliseum has been working with the artists as part of the Crafted program, supporting them with their creative journeys, as well as the reopening of the theatre.
Crafted was set up this year to support artists living and working in Oldham. The artists have been provided with rehearsal space, expenses and bursary, mentors based on their creative processes, and creative production support from Helen Goodman
Read more: Oldham Coliseum Theatre announces Spring Programme
Performances will take place between 2.30pm to 3.45pm and will be followed by a chance to talk to the artists and provide feedback.
It will be facilitated by actor, writer and director Emmanuel Bajiiji.
Tickets are £5 and available to purchase online via the Oldham Coliseum Theatre website.
Helen Goodman, artist development coordinator of Oldham Coliseum Theatre, said: “It’s truly inspiring to witness the exceptional quality of new work emerging right in our community!
“Where else can you see a John Lennon look-alike alongside homemade instruments and performance poetry?
“Oldham is a vibrant hub, teeming with creative individuals producing extraordinary new theatre and performance pieces.
“Craft Brew showcases four of the finest projects, offering us a unique opportunity to contribute to the creative process.”
The four artists and performances are:
‘Broken Bricks Build’ by Dada Zubeda
A performance about Dada’s experiences growing up, brick-by-brick. It involves spoken word, poetry, music, rhythm, body movements, making her own instruments with sounds that underscore the text and presents the process of building.
‘The Quiet Life’ by Elle Warsop
A piece about a woman in her late 50s who suddenly loses all her hearing after being deaf in one ear her whole life. It also explores ideas of sound, silence, and the complex layers of identity and communication.
Incorporating a mix of humour and emotion, the artist also intends to work with sound engineers to help audiences understand the impact of hearing loss. She will also work with a BSL interpreter, involving them in the piece rather than acting simply as a translator.
‘Flesh & Bones’ by Heather White
This is a performance about colonisation, oppression and exploitation of the female body, as well as the reclamation of space and liberation of trauma through movement.
It involves dance, contemporary movement, poetry and projection. The artist hopes the work will resonate and build community among women.
‘On Air’ by Jake Scott
This piece is a one-person play that follows a trans man facing online harassment after challenging a transphobic guest on a radio show
The artist is passionate about queer representation and promoting under-represented voices.
It will also explore sound, both recorded and live engineered, and makes use of a minimalist set to focus on what it means to speak and be heard.
