Oldham Actor Makes Dramatic Return To Oldham Coliseum Theatre.

Oldham actor Jeff Longmore

Oldham based actor Jeff Longmore, is making his return in dramatic fashion to Oldham Coliseum Theatre in Dare to Know Theatre’s brand new play ‘The Forgotten’.

‘The Forgotten’ follows George, played by Longmore, an early on set dementia sufferer who moves to a new care home. The experience brings up trauma for George, who tries to tell the story of his abuse by care staff, but as an unreliable witness, what is the truth to his experiences?

Jeff Longmore started his work in Oldham in 1978 to appear in 4 plays at Oldham Coliseum Theatre, but ended up staying for four years, appearing in 27 consecutive plays, including ‘Billy Liar’, ‘Bent’ and ‘No Knickers and One Night Stand’ which transferred to The Apollo Theatre in the West End.

While at the Coliseum Jeff was the first person to play Frank-n-Furter in the regional premiere’s of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’, a part he continued to play on many national tours.

He then went on to play the pantomime dame at the Coliseum for the next six years.

On taking the new dramatic turn in the ‘The Forgotten’, Jeff said; “It’s been a challenge for me as an actor to play George, he’s a very complex character with so many levels of emotions, thought and trying to get into the mind of a 64 year old man with dementia.

It has been both physically and emotionally challenging but very rewarding. It has been a great experience working with Dare to Know Theatre, putting all my trust in the director, Miranda Parker and the shining talent of the writer, Jake Talbot”.

Dare to Know Theatre, consisting of Writer Jake Talbot, and Director Miranda Parker, are continuing their work, in telling local stories, with and for the local community with this play, with the support of Oldham Coliseum Theatre as one of the theatre’s 2022 - 2023 associate artists.

Previously with the Coliseum, Dare to Know Theatre produced ‘A Broken Family, Together’ a digital verbatim play telling the story of healthcare workers at The Royal Oldham Hospital during the pandemic, which garnered over 6000 views on YouTube and was featured on Granada Reports.

On ‘The Forgotten’ and the relationship with Oldham Coliseum Theatre Co- Founder of Dare to Know Theatre and writer of the play, Jake Talbot said; “We’re always looking forwards and upwards, and becoming one of the Coliseum’s Associate Artists this year thankfully came at the perfect time, and we were lucky enough to receive the theatre’s support in our work, and the work we plan to make.

"‘The Forgotten’ is very different to what we normally do, we’re using technology in a way that we’ve never done before, but in a way that is still accessible to the audience. At the heart of the story, is a local man, with a local story, looking into local history, and for me, that’s what Dare to Know Theatre is about.”

‘The Forgotten’ comes to Oldham Coliseum Theatre Studio on the 13th & 14th of May, and available on the Coliseum’s website or through the link below.

www.coliseum.org.uk/spektrix/spektrix-events/the-forgotten/

You can find out more about the show, Dare to Know Theatre and their work at www.daretoknowtheatre.com.

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