Oldham Theatre Workshop

Coordinates: 53°32′28″N 2°06′43″W / 53.541°N 2.112°W / 53.541; -2.112 The Oldham Theatre Workshop is a youth theatre group based in the north west of England.

Outline

Founded by David Johnson (61) in 1968, the workshop is renowned for producing some of the best young acting talent in Britain. The Oldham Theatre Workshop has a purpose-built studio located in its own building off Oldham's Union Street, in company with a gallery, a museum and a library.

The workshop provides all-year-round drama training to young people, with classes ranging from the playful and fun 6–8-year-olds, to challenging, devising and practitioner study for those aged 16–25. Each year the workshop produces two large-scale productions — one in December, one in June — which are often staged at the historic Oldham Coliseum Theatre.

The Oldham Theatre Workshop is now managed by the Education and Cultural Services Department of Oldham, in Greater Manchester, England.

Former members

Many well-known actors began and developed their interest in the performing arts at the Theatre Workshop, with previous members including:

• Antony Cotton^[1]
• Anthony Crank
• Jane Danson^[2]
• Sue Devaney^[3]
• Jason Done
• Kelvin Fletcher
• Marsha Thomason
• Anna Friel^[2]
• Elyes Gabel
• Roxanne Ghawam-Shahidi
• Joseph Gilgun
• Michelle Holmes^[2]
• Suranne Jones^[2][3]
• Mark Jordon
• Anne Kirkbride
• Andrew Knott
• Sarah Lancashire
• Michael Le Vell^[3]
• Lisa Riley^[2][3]
• Matt Roper^[4]
• Danny Seward
• Cat Simmons
• Nicola Stephenson
• Gemma Wardle^[3]
• Natalie Casey

References and notes

1. ^ Keegan, Mike; "Star's plea in funding drama" ManchesterEveningNews.co.uk, 19 November 2007 (Retrieved: 24 August 2009)
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Drama queen helps TV kids" ManchesterEveningNews.co.uk, 28 June 2002 (Retrieved: 24 August 2009)
3. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Theatre workshop under threat " news.BBC.co.uk, 22 November 2004 (Retrieved: 24 August 2009)
4. ^ [1] Comedycv.co.uk

External links

• Friends of Oldham Theatre Workshop website FriendsOfOldhamTheatreWorkshop.co.uk